Just nine days out from the biggest show in the trotting world, eyes are still fixed on Idao De Tillard whose forfeit from last weekend’s final qualifier, the Prix de Belgique, caused concern among his supporters.

While the field continues to be whittled down for the late-January showpiece, Thierry Duvaldestin’s 6 year-old is still in, and still commands notable respect. An unexpected and unwelcome surprise, his Belgique forfeit left fans anxious that his participation in the Prix d’Amérique was in jeopardy. News subsequently emerged that the 4-times Gr.1 winner was unwell.

Earlier in the week, Duvaldestin gave an update on his Prix Ténor de Baune champion. “He coughed last Wednesday [10 January]. On Thursday, the scope revealed a build-up of mucus. At that point, there was simply no question of running the Belgique.

“He has been under treatment but has been forced to miss a week of work. He has nevertheless been able to carry out some slow-speed exercise, but there still remain three or four pieces of work to be done, and it is only then that we will know where we are. Barring some unforeseen catastrophe, he should run, but only if completely recovered.”

With 27 victories in 37 starts, Idao De Tillard lost his action in last year’s edition of the Amérique, but he is [at the time of writing] still available at 3/1. Titleholder Hooker Berry is at evens, while runner-up and Prix de France and Prix de Paris winner, Ampia Mede Sm is currently at 5.5/1. Bourgogne and Belgique winners respectively, Gu d’Héripré and Izoard Védaquais, are at 13/1, while Bretagne hero, Hussard Du Landret, is an attractive outsider at 17/1. Entries will be published on Monday, with final declarations made on Thursday 25.