Long-time Derby favourite to miss race

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Long-time Derby favourite to miss race

Irish-trained Epsom Derby hope St Nicholas Abbey will miss this week’s race after vets discovered a muscle injury on Tuesday.

By (Reuters)

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Published: Tue 1 Jun 2010, 5:39 PM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 5:22 AM

‘They found a slight muscle injury high up in his hind quarter,’ trainer Aidan O’Brien told his website (www.coolmore.com).

‘This meant he could not work today and we were advised to give him an easy few days. Obviously this will preclude him from running in the Derby on Saturday.’

The colt was made Derby favourite on the back of a brilliant two-year-old career and returned to action in the 2,000 Guineas a month ago but could only finish sixth over a distance short of his best.

‘We always thought St Nicholas Abbey could walk on water and it is very unfortunate for all concerned to have a setback like this so close to the big race,’ O’Brien added.

The horse disappointed slightly in a piece of work on Friday, prompting punters to promote stable companion Jan Vermeer to 2-1 favouritism ahead of St Nicholas Abbey, who drifted out to 7-2.

After Tuesday’s news, Jan Vermeer hardened to 13-8, ahead of 11-2 shot Workforce, trained in England by Michael Stoute.

O’Brien, who won the Derby in 2001 and 2002, has four other horses in Saturday’s likely 14-runner line-up.


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