Diffident can be forceful for Fabre

The French captured three of Britain's richest races last year through Apple Tree, Dernier Empereur and Pennekamp. All three were trained by Andr Fabre, who continues to enjoy the patronage of both the Maktoum family and Khalid Abdullah and who has won seven British Group One races in the past three seasons compared with Henry Cecil's tally of six. Carnegie, Diffident and Pennekamp have already shown champion potential, but Tremplin, a half-brother to the Arlington Million winner Mill Native, Source Of Light's brother De Quest and the Sadler's Wells colt Bretigny are lightly raced horses from his stable to note. The death of Franois Boutin in February robbed Europe of one of its finest trainers and his string has been dispersed between several yards, in particular those of Nicolas Clement and Pascal Bary, who will surely make their mark.

CARLING

three-year-old filly

by Garde Royale out of Corraleja

The winner of three of her four starts last year, including an impressive victory in the Group Three Prix des Reservois over a mile at Longchamp in October, Carling acts particularly well on soft ground. (Mme P Barbe for Ecurie Delbart)

CARNEGIE

four-year-old colt

by Sadler's Wells out of Detroit

Unraced as a two-year-old, Carnegie won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on only his seventh start. His dam, Detroit, is the first Arc winner to produce an Arc winner and Carnegie, who possesses a fine turn of foot, should improve further this season. (Trained by A Fabre for Sheikh Mohammed)

DIFFIDENT

three-year-old colt

by Nureyev out of Shy Princess

A possible 2,000 Guineas contender, Diffident had five months off the track after a debut success at Evry before landing a 10-runner Listed race at the same course in November by five lengths in one of the best times recorded by a juvenile last year. (A Fabre for Sheikh Mohammed)

FAIRY PATH

three-year-old filly

by Irish River out of Pointed Path

Nureyev and Fast Topaze were the only French two-year-olds in the last 15 years to win a pattern race on their debuts until Fairy Path won the Group Three Prix du Calvados at Deauville. Like the 1992 1,000 Guineas winner, Hatoof, Fairy Path is a daughter of Irish River and looks sure to feature in the Classics. (D Smaga for Lord Weinstock)

GOLDMARK

three-year-old colt

by Lyphard out of Gold Rose

Although he will now need further than a mile, Goldmark managed to win the Group One Grand Criterium at Longchamp in October over that inadequate trip. After the Criterium, Fabre said: "He may be a Derby horse because on his dam's side he's bred to go forever." (A Fabre for Sheikh Mohammed)

GREEN TUNE

four-year-old colt

by Green Dancer out of Soundings

Winner of the Poule d'Essai des Poulains, third in the Prix du Moulin and fourth in the St James's Palace Stakes, Green Tune was campaigned against the best in 1994. Always considered likely to be better as a four- year-old, he can stake his claim as champion miler this season. (Mme C Head for J Wertheimer)

LIGHT MUSIC

three-year-old filly

by Nijinsky out of Nashmeel

Impressive when winning a maiden by a length and a half over a mile at Maisons-Laffitte in September, Light Music's Oaks entry could be significant. (A Fabre for K Abdullah)

MACOUMBA

three-year-old filly

by Mr Prospector out of Maximova

Criquette Head had the 1,000 Guineas in mind for Macoumba after the filly scraped home in the Prix Marcel Boussac. That was not a top-class renewal of the Group One contest, but Head holds Macoumba in regard and the filly will improve. (Mme C Head for Haras d'Etreham)

PENNEKAMP

three-year-old colt

by Bering out of Coral Dance

"Pennekamp is the first horse I've had with the scope, class and speed to take in the Derby," Fabre said after his colt's victory over Green Perfume and Eltish in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. Bering colts are often speedy, which could prove an asset to Pennekamp if lining up in the 2,000 Guineas, but he could well give Sheikh Mohammed his first Derby victory. (A Fabre for Sheikh Mohammed)

PETIT POUCET

three-year-old colt

by Fairy King out of City Ex

Saint-Cloud's Listed Prix Omnium II has been won by Arazi and Bigstone in recent years and Petit Poucet, who scored a facile success on his seasonal debut in that mile race last Thursday, is a promising middle-distance prospect who may be capable of justifying his Derby entry. (N Clement for S Niarchos)

POLIGLOTE

three-year-old colt

by Sadler's Wells out of Alexandrie

Poliglote's only defeat was inflicted on his debut by the Grand Criterium winner Goldmark. He looked smart when beating Solar One (supplemented for the Derby) a head in the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud in October. (Mme C Head for J Wertheimer)

TIKKANEN

four-year-old colt

by Cozzene out of Reiko

The first Breeders' Cup winner to be sired by a Breeders' Cup winner, Tikkanen surpassed his European form with victories in the Turf Classic at Belmont Park and Breeders' Cup Turf at Churchill Downs. Like Cozzene, Tikkanen can improve with age. (J Pease for G Strawbridge)