The Epsom Derby flop Second Empire is set to run next in the Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on July 4th. Second Empire started a well-backed second favourite at Epsom last Saturday but never showed with a chance and finished a disappointing eighth. Connections reported Second Empire failed to stay and now he will dropped to the 10 furlongs of the Eclipse.

"We've been considering the Eclipse and it's likely to be his next race," trainer Aidan O'Brien said yesterday.

Before that O'Brien is finalising his team for next week's Royal Ascot meeting. Bianconi has a choice of the Cork & Orrery Stakes and Jersey Stakes and the duel winner Desert Fox is set to take his chance in the Britannia Stakes.

Bugatti Reef will lead the Ballydoyle juveniles in the Norfolk Stakes and a number of unraced two year olds have been entered in the Chesham Stakes.

Pat Flynn intends running French Ballerina in the Ascot Gold Cup and could also be represented in the Brittania Handicap by Right Job while if there is cut in the ground the Kevin Prendergast-trained Quws may take his chance in the Prince Of Wales Stakes.

Law Commission and Kieren Fallon can take the honours in the George Smith Memorial Rated Stakes at Newbury today.

It looks significant that Law Commission's trainer David Elsworth has replaced stable apprentice Neil Pollard - who partnered the eight-year-old at Goodwood last time out - with Fallon, his horse being the sort to benefit from a strong ride.

In that race, the selection, who normally needs a few runs to find his form, very much suggested that he was on the way back when coming from behind under pressure to take third inside the final furlong before his stamina gave out.