The 42-year-old jockey had planned to be back in action this week following his six-month ban handed out by France Galop after he tested positive for cocaine at Longchamp last September.

However, a “private matter” between Dettori and the Medical Committee of France Galop has so far prevented the French regulator from clearing him to return, with the British Horseracing Authority reciprocating that stance.

Dettori has been in France for the last two days trying to iron out the problem with France Galop and his solicitor Christopher Stewart-Moore believes progress has been made.

He told Press Association Sport: “The latest position is that Frankie Dettori has been in France for the last two days at France Galop.

“The matter has moved forward and we are expecting a positive result.

“We are hopeful that the glitch has been ironed out so that he can get his English licence in time to ride in the Derby.”

BHA spokesman Robin Mounsey confirmed they are still awaiting the relevant information from France Galop and there has been no change in the position of racing’s rulers.

The Coolcullen trainer has been delighted with his stable star since Newmarket and he knows what it takes to win the Epsom Classic, having saddled the unbeaten colt’s sire New Approach to strike in 2008.

“I’m very happy with him. He has come out of the Guineas very well. His performance in the Guineas was spectacular, I think that’s recognised by everybody,” said Bolger.

“He has been thriving ever since. I’d say he’s eating a little more than he was before the Guineas, so he’s come out of it really well, and I’ve no doubt he has improved.

“Kevin (Manning) and I know every blade of grass at Epsom at this stage. We’ve walked the track umpteen times and we’re happy enough about that.

“As regards to the competition, I wish them all well, I respect each and every one of them and I would not be losing any sleep over who turns up.”

Bolger was speaking via a telephone link at the annual ‘Breakfast with the Stars’ morning at the Surrey venue ahead of the Derby and Oaks next week.

The Galileo colt had a racecourse gallop at Lingfield on Wednesday, in which he was described as only “workmanlike” by the Newmarket handler.

He has since developed a sore shin, with Stoute of the opinion the premier Classic will now come too soon.

Stoute said: “He has a bit of soreness on a left shin and he’s not going to run.”

“He has had hold-ups here and there and hasn’t been giving us the right signs.”

Telescope missed an intend prep run in the Dante Stakes at York last week after grazes he sustained on his legs became infected. He has not raced since winning a strong Newmarket maiden last September.

There could be a rare German raider in the world’s best known Classic with Andreas Wohler hoping to add Chopin to the field at the supplementary stage.The Santiago colt was recently purchased by Sheikh Fahad Al Thani after a stylish win on his reappearance at Krefeld last month.

“The horse will do a piece of work on Sunday, and if it goes well, he’ll be supplemented for the Derby on Monday. The new owner had the race in mind probably when he bought him. We wouldn’t have come up to it ourselves,” said Wohler.

“He’s a very relaxed horse, very laid back and does what you want. He’s a nice, easy horse to have.

“The trip wouldn’t worry me, he wants much further than his last race. The faster they go, the better. He will probably arrive the day before. It’s a lot different, we’ve been all around the world for big races but the Derby is the Derby. It’s the Derby of the Derbys. It’s a very exciting thing for German racing.”

Andre Fabre‘s unbeaten Prix Greffulhe winner engaged in some pleasing work over the Derby trip and drew readily clear of his lead horse.

Fabre said: “They went quite quietly, the idea was to just show him the bend and the downhill trip. It was not a serious workout but he was moving well and it was useful.”

Trainer Aidan O’Brien has explained that plans for his Derby team are yet to be finalised, saying: “It’s all a little bit up in the air at the moment, but they are all in good shape so far. Obviously Battle Of Marengo was always going to stay home for the two trials and the other horses were going to go for the trials elsewhere.

“We said after Newmarket that Mars would go for the Derby and he probably will end up going there as well.

“Obviously we have Ruler Of The World and Magician, and there are a few other options apart from that. We’ll probably get towards the end of the week when they are doing their work, but they’ve all been together and done their half-speeds

“Joseph (O’Brien) has always ridden Battle Of Marengo, I think he’s probably short enough odds to ride him. Mars will go if everything else goes well with him between now and then. Whatever else goes, we’re not 100% sure.”

Although jockey bookings have yet to be firmed up, O’Brien expects that to be a straightforward issue once running plans have been confirmed.

“Obviously there’s Seamie (Heffernan) and Colm (O’Donoghue), and Ryan (Moore) has also ridden for us. I don’t think that’s going to be a problem. All those things usually fall into place.”

Secret Gesture is favourite for the fillies’ Classic after treating her rivals with disdain in the Lingfield Oaks Trial and has been ridden by Crowley in all three of her races, while Talent lived up to her name by winning the Pretty Polly Stakes on Guineas weekend at Newmarket.

“Jim will ride Secret Gesture and he will come and sit on her in the morning. Richard Hughes will come in and have a sit on Talent, and he’ll ride her as well,” said Beckett, who won the Oaks with Look Here in 2008.

“I’ve not done a lot with Secret Gesture since Lingfield, but we’ll do a piece with her on the grass. Talent has done very well since the Pretty Polly, I’m pleased with her.”

Hughie Morrison’s unbeaten filly Banoffee will be supplemented for the Classic. The daughter of Hurricane Run was unraced as a juvenile but made a pleasing introduction at Newbury in April, winning a maiden which subsequent Oaks scorers Eswarah and Dancing Rain used as a springboard to success.

Stepped up in class for the Cheshire Oaks at Chester, she showed a telling turn of foot in the straight to cut down her opponents and win going away under Kieren Fallon.

“All being well, if the wheels stay on between now and Saturday, she will be supplemented. She only ran two weeks ago and I don’t want to over-work her, she proved how good she was at Chester. I think Kieren is available – he’s very keen to ride – and I will be confirming it as planned,” said Morrison.

Of Aidan O’Brien’s three remaining fillies engaged, he confirmed that two, Guineas third Moth and nine-length Cork maiden winner Say would run.

“Snow Queen is going for the Irish Guineas. The other two (Moth and Say) haven’t done a lot of work, they don’t need it, but are both in good shape and are going for the Oaks,” said O’Brien.

Michael Bell, who won the race with Sariska, could run The Lark in the same silks, along with Madame Defarge, and both had a gentle spin around Epsom on Thursday morning.

Fourth behind another Classic possible in the Hughie Morrison-trained Banoffee in the Cheshire Oaks, the stablemate of leading Epsom fancy Liber Nauticus opened her account in good style in this Listed contest.

Richard Hughes held a handy lead on Heading North until Ryan Moore brought Elik with a strong run to challenge over a furlong out. Heading North did not go down without a fight, but she had nothing left in the last 100 yards and was beaten three-quarters of a length at the line as Elik (3-1) gained her first victory.

Kiyoshi (8-11 favourite) duly landed the odds in the British Stallion Studs Supporting British Racing EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes. The Charlie Hills-trained filly led a furlong out and went on to score by a length and a half from Ihtimal.

“It took me a good furlong and a half to master the Godolphin filly, but she was well on top at the end. She could go to Royal Ascot but it wouldn’t bother me if she didn’t go. I think she’s a long-term filly,” winning rider Jamie Spencer told Racing UK.

Pat Dobbs brought the Amanda Perrett-trained Head Of Steam (8-1) with a well-timed run on the outside to claim the Wright Joinery Company Handicap by three-quarters of a length from George Guru.

Winning owner George Materna said: “I live about 45 minutes away. I’ve got five or six horses and like to run them here. It would have easy for Pat to go on three furlongs out, but he held on and held on until going on at the right moment. You just have to come with him late.”

Promising apprentice Robert Tart gained a hard-fought success on top weight Palazzo Bianco (10-1) in the Hippo Handicap. The 5lb claimer forced the Brian Ellison-trained five-year-old to lead a furlong out and ward off Cosimo De Medici by three-quarters of a length, with the pace-setting Rockfella third.

King Of The Danes (4-1 joint-favourite) ran his rivals ragged when making all the running in the Winner Plant UK Handicap. Franny Norton’s mount, trained by Mark Johnston, was unchallenged as he followed up an Ascot success in tremendous fashion by six lengths.

In the Construction Raceday Apprentice Handicap, the Ron Harris-trained Night Trade (10-1) kept Chevise at bay by a neck under Eddie Linehan.

A field of 10 is set to line up for the colts’ Classic, with the Ballydoyle trainer responsible for Magician, Flying The Flag, George Vancouver and Gale Force Ten.

Johnny Murtagh was aboard three of the eight O’Brien winners and he aims to get his training career off to a flying start when he saddles Ask Dad and Fort Knox in the one-mile showpiece.

This race has so far eluded trainer Jim Bolger and the Coolcullen handler tries this time with Trading Leather, having removed his four other possibles.

First Cornerstone, trained in Northern Ireland by Andy Oliver, is set to make his seasonal debut in the Classic after a slight setback forced him to miss the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial.

Richard Hannon has successfully plundered the Irish 2,000 Guineas three times and the Herridge handler sends a powerful duo in the shape of Van Der Neer, third in the Newmarket equivalent, and Havana Gold, who was fifth in the French version.

The seven-year-old was the only horse to give Frankel a real race when he was beaten just a length and three-quarters on Champions Day.

Barande-Barbe has not given up all hope of a return to Berkshire just yet for the 16-times winner, who missed the Hong Kong Cup in December with an injury.

“I’m not quite sure yet where his first race will be,” said Barande-Barbe.

“He’s super at present and his options are the Prince of Wales‘s, the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and then the King George.

“After the King George we’d be looking at York (Juddmonte International) maybe and then possibly Ireland in September (Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown).

“As a gelding we don’t have to rush, the horse will tell me when he is ready, maybe in one month.

“Ascot might come too soon but I think he’s better than ever at the moment.

“Physically he looks to be stronger and he is showing a lot of strength, he’s very happy.”

Ahern’s career was effectively ended after he was found guilty of conspiring to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice along with former footballer Neil Clement at a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday.

However, while his appeal is ongoing, PJA chief executive Paul Struthers confirmed the organisation will continue to support the rider.

“The PJA agrees that corrupt conduct cannot be tolerated within a sport where integrity is absolutely vital,” said Struthers.

“Given robust evidence, lengthy bans are the only option for those – not just jockeys – who have committed the most serious offences under the Rules of Racing.

“However, Eddie Ahern is adamant that he is not guilty of the corrupt charges found against him and plans to appeal.

“We are supportive of this position given the concerns over the judgement and written reasons of the Disciplinary Panel. It would be inappropriate to go into specifics at this stage pending his appeal.

“It is the PJA‘s role to support its members prior to and leading up to any disciplinary proceedings, and to provide any subsequent advice and non-financial support that is required following the conclusion to those same proceedings.

“Our condemnation of corrupt conduct does not alter that, particularly so when a member is appealing.”

The ruler of Dubai has moved to prohibit the use of the performance-enhancing drugs following the British Horseracing Authority’s decision to ban former Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni for eight years after he admitted administering the substances to several horses in his care.

Anabolic steroids were allowed to be used on horses not in training in Dubai but from now on, anyone found using, selling or buying any performance-enhancing drugs in the United Arab Emirates for equine purposes will be breaking the new law.

“I have always believed in the integrity of horse racing and all other horse sports,” Sheikh Mohammed told www.godolphin.com.

“I have, in light of the unfortunate recent event, directed that a decree be issued making, with immediate effect, the import, sale, purchase or use of anabolic steroids in horse sports a criminal offence under the UAE penal laws.

“Regrettably, one of my stables in Europe has recently fallen below the standards that I expect and will tolerate.

“As soon as the internal investigations are complete and the requisite pre-emptory rules are put in place, Godolphin will go from strength to strength and lead, once again, adherence to the highest standards in that gracious sport.”

She has won her only two races, but shot to the head of the classic market after winning the Nell Gwyn Stakes at the track last month.

Ahern, 35, was found guilty of conspiring to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice in relation to the laying of five horses between September 2010 and February 2011.

He was also found in breach of intentionally failing to ensure Judgethemoment was ridden on its merits at Lingfield in January 2011, and of passing information for reward.

Former West Bromwich Albion footballer Neil Clement has been disqualified from the sport for a total of 15 years and three months. He faced charges relating to the five races Ahern rode in and also the laying of Hindu Kush, who he then owned, when that horse finished last of six at Kempton in February 2011.

The 34-year-old was found guilty of conspiring to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice, of placing a lay bet on Hindu Kush and of a failure to provide phone records.

Ahern’s solicitor Christopher Stewart-Moore said his client intends to appeal both the BHA disciplinary panel’s findings and the severity of the suspension.

Stewart-Moore said in a statement issued to Press Association Sport: “Eddie Ahern is absolutely devastated by the BHA Panel’s findings. He did not breach the rules of racing as found by the panel or at all and he will be appealing both the findings as well as the very harsh penalties imposed on him.”

Ahern’s counsel, Jonathan Harvie QC, feels his client had been “hard done-by”, saying: “I am reflecting on it that no doubt if you are counsel for somebody you have a more sympathetic view on it than the tribunal. I just happen to think he was hard done-by. You have to have got through the hearing to have framed a view about the merits.

“They took one view, and Christopher Stewart-Moore and I took a slightly different view. Justice is an imperfect thing because people decide. Some people say one thing, some people say another, and a decision is reached. History is littered with imperfect decisions.

“I’m not for a moment criticising the tribunal. They came to a decision in no doubt good faith. I happen to think that there might have been a different view. There might have been a better view. But it’s not for me to impugn the judgement of the tribunal. He wants to appeal.”

The County Tipperary-born jockey has been found guilty of conspiring to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice in relation to the laying of five horses, as well as being in breach of intentionally failing to ensure Judgethemoment was ridden on its merits at Lingfield in January 2011, and of passing information for reward.

Ahern was a former champion apprentice in Ireland in 1997, with his first major winner in Britain coming the following year when the Michael Grassick-trained San Sebastian claimed the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot.

In recent years he has been used by a number of top trainers, including Sir Henry Cecil, for whom he won the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2009 on the Khalid Abdullah-owned Father Time. Ahern also won the Musidora Stakes at York in 2010 on Aviate for Cecil and Abdullah.

He gained Group One glory in 2011 when dead-heating on John Gosden’s Duncan in the Irish St Leger, a second top-level success for the rider after Grassick’s Preseli won the 1999 Moyglare Stud Stakes, and also struck up a fruitful partnership with Donald McCain’s popular dual-purpose star Overturn.

After the announcement of Ahern’s disqualification, Adam Brickell, Director of Integrity, Legal and Risk for the BHA, said: “Today’s findings have confirmed that another network of corruption has been successfully prosecuted by the BHA, resulting in a total of four individuals being disqualified from racing, including the jockey Eddie Ahern.

“The clear message from this, and other cases heard in the last 18 months, should be that the BHA is better equipped than ever at pinpointing and prosecuting malpractice. The penalties imposed as a result of these cases being heard should serve as a deterrent to others.

“The links we have developed with betting organisations and the advances made in our sharing of data and intelligence mean that we are increasingly effective at gathering evidence that leads to prosecutions.

“This investigation was another landmark in terms of our intelligence and evidence gathering capabilities as it was the first occasion on which we have received assistance from a spread betting company to bring a successful prosecution.

“We have now sought and received significant cooperation on a voluntary basis from more than one such firm and we hope that this is a resource we will continue to be able to turn to. We continue to await Government’s improvements to the overall legislative framework that will ensure all operators are mandated to share such information with us, and other sporting bodies.”

Solicitor Christopher Stewart-Moore has contacted the BHA with a view to the regulator revising its stance which has impacted upon the Italian jockey’s protracted exile from the sport.

French racing authority France Galop banned Dettori for six months after he tested positive for cocaine at Longchamp last September and the BHA said it is awaiting results of three additional tests taken from Dettori by France Galop’s medical committee before the jockey can even be reconsidered for a licence.

Stewart-Moore said the three samples were taken at a time when he was an unlicensed individual, which should not have any influence in the BHA‘s decision to veto his return, which had been earmarked for an evening meeting at Leicester on Monday.

Stewart-Moore said: “I am awaiting a response from the BHA. I’m going to ask them to reconvene the licensing committee so they can hear the submission from us to see if Frankie can get his licence back. That might include us handing over the documentation to the tests which he has carried out.

“What we are are looking for is a further hearing with the licensing committee. The licensing committee has already decided he is fit and ready to race, and there should be nothing to stop him. Frankie is very willing to pay for, and subject himself to, further tests in the first six months of his return.

“The BHA thought the worldwide ban was subject to these three tests, taken at a time when he was unlicensed, that were being completed in France. All they have to do is satisfy themselves and again ask the question, ‘Is this guy a fit and proper person?’”

The BHA reiterated in a statement on Wednesday that the issue hinges upon the findings from France Galop’s medical committee.

“We have today again spoken to France Galop regarding Frankie Dettori. They have confirmed to us that the issue sits with their medical committee, and that the specifics of the case have to remain confidential between the committee and Mr Dettori. They are unable to provide us with any further information at this stage,” said the statement.

France Galop said on Tuesday that the onus was on Dettori to contact them and that the issue was a “private matter” between the two parties.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt worked over seven furlongs with two stablemates to help compensate for missing his intended prep run in the Dante Stake at York last week. He is making up for lost time after grazes he sustained on his legs became infected.

The Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned three-year-old will now face a make-or-break gallop at Newmarket on Saturday to determine whether he runs in the Derby.

Stoute, who supervised Telescope’s work at Lingfield, said: “We felt it was more of workmanlike display. He’s worked with these horses this spring and has been more impressive than that. I felt that he didn’t really switch off – even cantering down he was just taking a bit of a tug.

“Hopefully it will do him the power of good to get back to the racecourse as it’s been a long time. We will see what today has done for him, mentally more than anything else. We’ll work him on Saturday and chat again.”

Telescope worked alongside stablemates Commend and the 95-rated Opinion at the Surrey venue. The Ryan Moore-ridden Derby aspirant was keen to get on with it from the outset and galloped to the front two furlongs from home before crossing the line ahead of Opinion, and then Commend.

Highclere racing manager Harry Herbert told At The Races: “Anyone watching that, especially those who have seen the horse work in the spring, would say he lacked that usual zip. He hasn’t put in a performance that was as good as had been hoped. I suspect this is a combination of tongue-over-bit and freshness.

“‘Workmanlike’ is the right word for it. Ryan said it wasn’t as good as he’d hoped. The final piece of work on Saturday is obviously going to be critical. The clock is ticking. We will see what his piece of work is like on Saturday before deciding whether to go all out for Epsom or not.

“While this may have been disappointing, I suspect there might have been a reason for it. No horse is going to work properly with the tongue over the bit, hopefully we’ll see the real Telescope on Saturday and the dream will still be alive.”

The son of Galileo sprang towards the forefront of the Derby betting after he won a strong Newmarket maiden last September, but was eased by Coral to 8-1 (from 7s) for the premier race of the Flat season.

Considered as the best three-year-old in his homeland, he was bought by Sheikh Fahad Al Thani after winning his last race by eight lengths and will be ridden by Jamie Spencer, who recently went to Dusseldorf to partner the colt in a piece of work.

The owner’s racing manager David Redvers said: “The plan is definitely to supplement him and he will run. His form was given a major boost on Monday when the horse he beat easily last time out (Global Bang) was just touched off in the German Guineas.”

He went on: “Chopin is in very good shape but we decided not to take him to the Breakfast With The Stars at Epsom because it’s only 10 days before the race. For the French horses, they can be back in their stable in four hours but it’s a much more drawn out journey back to Germany.

“It was considered it would be too unsettling for him so he’ll come over the day before the Derby.

“We think he’ll act on any ground. At Dusseldorf the other day it was soft which wasn’t perfect for him as he has a low, flat action. We’re sure he’ll cope well with decent ground.

“His trainer Andreas Wohler might not be that well known here, but he trained Lomitas (who won several Group Ones) and has won all sorts of good races in France. It never even crossed our minds to send the horse to anyone else when we bought him.

“We think he adds a bit of spice to the race. The Derby trials were slightly underwhelming in that nothing stood out, so much so that Dawn Approach hardened as favourite.

“In a normal year, a Guineas winner stepping up in trip would have plenty of dissenters but this year, maybe because of the opposition, people seem to think he’ll stay. There’s also Aidan O’Brien who we respect massively.

“It will be great to be involved but make no mistake, we are not running him just to have a runner, we think an awful lot of this horse.”

Richard Hannon’s colt ran a blinder in the French equivalent, hitting the front inside the final furlong before eventually being run out of it into fifth.

However, he made up plenty of ground at Longchamp and connections are dreaming of claiming a Classic double this weekend, with Just The Judge running in the same colours in the 1000 Guineas.

“Havana Gold should be right in the mix,” said David Redvers, racing manager to owner Sheikh Fahad Al Thani.

“He simply hit the front too early in the French Guineas and pulled himself up in front.

“This time he’ll be ridden differently, probably in typical Jamie Spencer fashion, in the aim of putting his head in front right on the line.”

First Cornerstone is set to make his seasonal bow in the Classic after a bad scope forced him to miss an intended run earlier.

The six-year-old made great strides last term, culminating in victory in the Group Two British Champions Sprint at Ascot last autumn. He was a winner for trainer David Nagle on his seasonal bow in a Listed race at Naas but finished a narrow fifth to Society Rock in the Duke of York Stakes last week.

With Maarek relishing testing ground and the going at Haydock currently good, Nagle prefers staying closer to home this week, with the longer trip at the Curragh also in his favour.

He said: “We are leaning towards the Curragh at the moment as showers are forecast before the weekend and he would prefer the six furlongs there over the five furlongs in Haydock.”

Trainer Patrick Prendergast is wary of running his Sandown Classic Trial winner on ground possibly not to his liking, with the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby as his big target at the end of next month.

“He is in good old form but I might not run him on Sunday. I just entered him in it to have a look and I’ll probably run him in the Nijinsky Stakes (now the King George V Cup) over a mile and three furlongs at Leopardstown (June 7) instead,” Prendergast said.

“The ground is fairly good on the Curragh at the moment and I wouldn’t run him on firm ground before the Derby. We’ll take whatever way the ground comes up on Derby day.”

Paul Deegan is unsure whether to step Sruthan up to a mile and a quarter in the Gallinule.

The three-year-old colt was a pleasing winner of the Listed Tetrarch Stakes at the County Kildare circuit earlier in the month, but has not gone beyond a mile in an unbeaten two-race career.

“His last couple of pieces of work he has looked like he might stay, but we’ll have to see what turns up and what the ground is like,” said Deegan.

“I wouldn’t think he’d be out of his depth – he’s in real good form – so it could happen.

“He wouldn’t be out of place, I don’t think.”