Chopin to drop back in trip Saturday's Investec Derby might have been the one and only time Dawn Approach tackled a mile and a half and it looks to be the same for Chopin, with trainer Andreas Wohler planning to drop the colt back in distance. The seventh-placed finish of the first Derby runner from Germany went slightly unnoticed amid the drama of Dawn Approach's last place behind Ruler Of The World. Chopin, who went off at 12-1, was carrying the colours of Qatar Racing with the operation snapping him up after an impressive win at Krefeld in April. He was a little short of room during the final furlong and was eventually beaten just under four lengths. The Epsom veterinary team reported he had a cut to his left hind leg. "He's fine after the run. He was there and he had his chance, but he just didn't stay the trip," said Wohler. "I think shorter distances are probably better for him, a mile or a mile and a quarter. It would mean he won't go for the German Derby, we will give him some time and work out where we will go." Wolher, who trains near Gutersloh in mid-Western Germany, could make an appearance at Royal Ascot with both Earl Of Tinsdal and Altano possible runners in the Gold Cup. There will, though, be no sight of the exciting Novellist, who has an entry in the Hardwicke Stakes. Last year's Italian Group One winner beat stablemate Waldpark on his reappearance at Baden-Baden. "He's going to run in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud," Wohler said.
