Aidan O’Brien could have as many as four representatives in
Saturday’s Epsom Derby (Eng-G1), with Kieren Fallon yet to decide on
his mount in the Blue Riband.
Confirming
Musidora S. (Eng-G3) runner-up ALEXANDROVA (Sadler’s Wells) on
course for Friday’s Epsom Oaks (Eng-G1) and Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1)
second ACE (Ire) (Danehill) on target for that afternoon’s
Coronation Cup (Eng-G1), the Ballydoyle conditioner will make a decision soon as
to his Derby runners. Revealing that Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Fr-G1) winner HORATIO
NELSON (Danehill) had suffered a setback, he hopes to have Dante S. (Eng-G2) winner
SEPTIMUS (Sadler’s Wells), Derby Trial (Ire-G2) winner DYLAN THOMAS (Danehill)
and MOUNTAIN (Montjeu [Ire]) on offer for the
1 1/2-mile classic.
“Horatio missed a bit of work two weeks
ago with a bruised foot and has been held up a bit, but we’ll see
when he works again,” O’Brien explained. “All four will work on
Tuesday or Wednesday and we’ll know more then which one Kieren
will ride.”
Godolphin will be without a representative in the
Epsom Derby after ruling out WINGED CUPID (In the Wings [GB]) on Sunday. With only one winner on the board so far in
2006, the operation is set to analyze the poor start to the term
and will scratch last year’s Racing Post Trophy (Eng-G1) runner-up from
the Blue Riband, leaving Frankie Dettori free for a possible ride on Derby Trial
(Eng-G3) winner LINDA’S LAD (Sadler’s Wells).
“We have a big string of horses at
Newmarket and their well-being comes first,” Godolphin’s Racing
Manager Simon Crisford said. “They are clearly not right and,
although nothing has come to light so far, we need to operate
with the maximum amount of caution at this time. Therefore, we
are not expecting to have any runners in the immediate future as
it will be necessary to give the horses more time to find their
form.”