Connections poised to make a call on Derby favourite Carlton House
CONNECTIONS are likely to wait until tomorrow to make a decision on whether Investec Derby favourite Carlton House will run in the Epsom showpiece on Saturday.
The Queen’s colt (right), forced his way to the head of the betting for the highlight of the flat racing season on the back of his eye-catching victory in last month’s Dante Stakes at York.
But the Sir Michael Stoute trained three-year-old suffered a major set-back in his preparations when he strained an ankle during a workout on Monday.
“We’ve got the next few days to see if it [the ankle strain] is cooling itself down – that’s going to be key,” said Her Majesty’s racing manager, John Warren, ahead of today’s final declaration stage.
“The good thing is the horse is sound and he’s moving well. He’s on trotting exercise but, of course, Sir Michael Stoute would love to be getting some good cantering into him at this point.
“Luckily, we’ve got the most experienced trainer in the country and the best rider [Ryan Moore] in the country.
We’ve got a chance of running. It’s not without a possibility that he’ll stand in the line-up.
“He won’t run unless the trainer is completely content that he’s sound. By tomorrow we’ll know more.”