• The Derby

House declared for Derby after crunch gallop

ESPN staff
June 2, 2011
Carlton House showed his well-being in a gallop at Newmarket © Getty Images
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Carlton House has been declared for the Derby, having come through a gallop on Thursday morning.

The three-year-old is owned by The Queen and rocketed to the head of the betting for the Derby with an imposing win in the Dante Stakes at York last month.

Carlton House's preparation for Saturday's race had gone according to plan until he was found to have knocked a joint during a routine piece of work on Tuesday. X-rays showed no serious damage, but it provided trainer Sir Michael Stoute with a headache.

Connections were always likely to declare the colt and that happened on Thursday, but news that he galloped earlier in the morning will be a boon to supporters.

Stoute will monitor Carlton House's progress over the next 48 hours, but hopes are high he will take his place in the Derby under big-race pilot Ryan Moore.

A maximum field of 13 will go to post on Saturday. Andre Fabre's Prix Greffulhe winner Pour Moi is prominent in the betting after impressing on a recent trip to Epsom for the Breakfast with the Stars event, while Aidan O'Brien will be four-handed with Seville, Recital, Memphis Tennessee and Treasure Beach.

The 2000 Guineas third Native Khan will put his stamina to the test, while Godolphin rely on Ocean War.

Vadamar, Pisco Sour, Castlemorris King, Marhaba Malyoon and Masked Marvel complete the field.

If Carlton House is to prevail, he will have to overcome the widest draw- having been handed stall 13 of 13.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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