Jockey Frankie Dettori still hopes to be able to ride at the Epsom Derby meeting this weekend following a further meeting with France Galop officials.
The French authority banned the Italian for six months after he tested positive for cocaine at Longchamp last September and the rider had been due to return to action last week after serving that suspension.
However, a “private matter” between Dettori and the medical committee of France Galop has so far prevented the French regulator from clearing the jockey to return, with the British Horseracing Authority reciprocating that stance.
Dettori, his solicitor Christopher Stewart Moore and French agent Herve Naggar attended a meeting with the French authority on Tuesday.
Naggar says some progress has been made in the case with Dettori’s team hoping the rider will be cleared for action by the end of the week.
“This afternoon Frankie Dettori, Christopher Stewart Moore and myself met with the medical committee of France Galop,” Naggar said.
“Following the problem of last week, Frankie Dettori asked to be retested, both last week and yesterday.
“The medical committee accepted the explanation of the mishap with his earlier test and it is hoped that by the end of the week Frankie Dettori will be allowed to ride in France.
“This will be subject to getting the results of his final tests and them coming back all clear, hopefully this will have happened by Thursday night and without Frankie having to meet with France Galop again.
“The results of the first tests have come back and they are fine and it was at Frankie’s request that he took all the tests again.”
The Derby meeting begins at Epsom on Friday and Dettori’s team are keen to be back in action by then.
The 42-year-old has been riding work for Aidan O’Brien and has been touted as a possible jockey for one of the Coolmore runners.
BHA chief executive Paul Bittar has already stated the authority will be aiming for a speedy resolution to Dettori’s case once the French organisation has given the go-ahead.
However, until official clearance has been given, the position of racing’s rulers is unchanged.
