Carlton House on target
The Queen's Carlton House is set to take his place in the Derby at Epsom on Saturday after showing positive signs on Thursday.
Last Updated: 02/06/11 7:02pm
The Queen's Carlton House is set to take his place in the Investec Derby at Epsom on Saturday after showing positive signs following an injury scare.
Connections of the colt, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, issued an upbeat bulletin this evening after the three-year-old showed no ill-effects following a four-furlong canter in Newmarket this morning.
Carlton House has been the long-time favourite for the premier Classic, but doubts over his participation arose after he developed swelling in his near-fore leg.
The Dante Stakes winner suffered the setback during a work-out on Monday.
"We are pleased to report that Carlton House did a good exercise this morning and he is very much still on target for Saturday's Investec Derby," Her Majesty's racing manager John Warren said.
Thirteen horses have been declared for the Flat highlight of the year, with Andre Fabre's Prix Greffulhe winner Pour Moi having also stood his ground.
Aidan O'Brien saddled Galileo (2001) and High Chaparral (2002) to win successive renewals of the Derby and again has a typically strong hand.
Ballydoyle's two major hopes are Dante runner-up Seville and Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial winner Recital. O'Brien also saddles Memphis Tennessee and Treasure Beach.
Native Khan, Ed Dunlop's 2000 Guineas third, steps up half a mile in distance and will be ridden for the first time by Johnny Murtagh.
Godolphin rely on Mahmood Al Zarooni's Ocean War, the mount of Frankie Dettori.
Alain de Royer-Dupre's Vadamar was beaten into third by Pour Moi at Saint-Cloud but renews rivalry at Epsom.
Dante third Pisco Sour, Castlemorris King, Marhaba Malyoon and Masked Marvel complete the field.
There were no surprises among the four withdrawals, with Casamento, Genius Beast and Roderic O'Connor poised to run in Sunday's French Derby.
Nathaniel was also scratched after John Gosden warned conditions were likely to have been too fast.