RACING: Spartacus and Marino Marini could face each other for the second time in a fortnight in Sunday's Prix Morny at Deauville.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained pair were first and second in Europe's first Group One of the season for juveniles, the Phoenix Stakes, at the Curragh nine days ago.

Now O'Brien may let them tackle the second top-flight pot at Deauville where the Ballydoyle trainer has won in recent years with Fasliyev, Orpen and Johannesburg.

"It looks like it might be the same as the last day and Spartacus and Marino Marini are possibles. But we won't be sure until later in the week," he said yesterday.

A lot will depend on the York Festival where a number of Ballydoyle two-year-olds are intended runners despite the ravages of the cough. One of the star juveniles who has managed to steer clear of the bug is Van Nistelrooy who is unbeaten in two starts, including the Tyros Stakes.

Van Nistelrooy has Saturday's Group Two Futurity at the Curragh as a possible target next. O'Brien said: "He seems fine and we will look at the race closer to the time."

The Ballydoyle trainer has also not given up on getting the double Derby winner High Chaparral back in time for the Food Island Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 7th.

"We will probably know more next week but it's possible we will be able to get them back for the Champion Stakes," he said.