Carlton heads 13 Derby runners Carlton House is among 13 horses declared for the Investec Derby at Epsom on Saturday. The Queen's colt 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. Sir Michael Stoute's Dante Stakes winner suffered the setback during a work-out on Monday. However, he remains in contention for the mile-and-a-half Flat highlight after cantering on Thursday morning. Aidan O'Brien saddled Galileo (2001) and High Chaparral (2002) to win successive renewals of the Derby, and he saddles four runners this year. Ballydoyle's two major hopes are Dante runner-up Seville and Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial winner Recital, while Memphis Tennessee and Treasure Beach are also declared. 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. Andre Fabre's Prix Greffulhe winner Pour Moi is a fancied runner, while Alain de Royer-Dupre's Vadamar (third at Saint-Cloud) 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 has also been scratched after John Gosden warned conditions were likely to have been too fast. Carlton House has been drawn in stall 13 on the outside of the field but seven of the last 10 Derby winners have come from a single-figure draw. Seville will come from stall 2, Native Khan from 3, Recital from 4 and highly-touted French challenger Pour Moi from 7.
