Horse Racing: Rule Of Law States Case for Irish Derby

Between them, Godolphin's Saeed Bin Suroor and Michael Jarvis ran away with the training honours at Royal Ascot, and both stables looks sure to play leading roles in this weekend's major races.

Godolphin's six Ascot winners would almost certainly have been seven if Rule of Law had been able to run in the King Edward VII Stakes.

A low-grade respiratory infection kept the Vodafone Derby runner-up in his box at home, but Rule Of Law has made a speedy recovery and is on course to cross swords with North Light for the third time this season in Sunday's Irish Derby at the Curragh.

"Rule Of Law cantered this morning and has made a speedy recovery from the minor infection that he had last week," said Godolphin's racing manager Simon Crisford yesterday.

"He seems very well in himself and as a result we are still considering the Irish Derby for him. We shall decide in the morning, but at present it is looking likely," added Crisford.

Godolphin have until noon to shell out €95,000 [£63,000] to supplement the colt for the Budweiser-sponsored Classic. Coral have reintroduced Rule Of Law into their Derby betting at 7-1, with North Light favourite at 4-6. Let The Lion Roar, third at Epsom, is a 4-1 shot.

Rule Of Law had only one behind him turning into the straight at Epsom, but finished strongly, despite looking ill at ease on the track, to virtually replicate previous Dante Stakes running at York with North Light.

The Derby winner yesterday received a vote of confidence from Kieren Fallon, who said: "North Light has come out of the Derby very well and seems in good form. A big, galloping track like the Curragh should suit him."

Anak Pekan has gone up a whopping 21lbs in the ratings this season, but it is no surprise to see Michael Jarvis's progressive stayer head the betting for Saturday's £180,000 John Smith's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle - the richest two-mile handicap run in Europe.

Five-lengths winner of the Chester Cup, he tops the 32-strong entry at 4-1 with Coral and Hill's. Ladbrokes cut Anak Pekan into 7-2 from 4's. "After the way Anak Pekan won the Chester Cup we are taking no chances with him," said spokesman Damian Walker.

Misternando heads the weights on 9st 10lbs. Just 2lbs below him is the well-fancied Barolo, a 6-1 shot with Hill's. Roger Charlton's Dorothy's Friend is another popular choice, having scored over the course and distance last September, but still needs nine to come out to get a run.

James Fanshawe is another trainer who enjoyed a good Royal Ascot, his one winner, Unscrupulous, backed up by five placed runners. The Newmarket trainer's fine run should continue at Newbury tonight when Catherine Wheel (7.30 makes her handicap debut.

Rain is forecast, and any easing in ground conditions would increase confidence in Catherine Wheel, who had to work hard to get off the mark on fast ground at Doncaster. A filly with lots of scope for improvement, she looks to have got in lightly.