Golan takes Galileo challenge

Golan`s rematch against Epsom conqueror Galileo is firmly on course after the names of both colts appeared among the 12 final declarations for Sunday`s Budwesier Irish Derby at the Curragh.

Sir Michael Stoute this morning put the final touches to Golan`s preparation for the £900,000 Classic when giving him a final workout on Newmarket`s Al Bahathri gallop, where the colt eased clear of his two galloping companions.

Golan will have to find three and a half lengths if he is to overturn Vodafone Derby form with Aidan O`Brien`s charge.

Golan will be joined at the Curragh by compatriots Mr Combustible - fourth at Epsom - and Italian Derby winner Morshdi.

The most notable absentees from the final field are Godolphin`s Tobougg and the French Derby third Grandera.

A stable spokeswoman for Grandera`s trainer, James Fanshawe, explained that the ground - softened in the past 48 hours by showers and now officially yielding to soft - had been the deciding factor.

'He doesn`t run because of the rain,' she said. 'He`s entered in lots of races and he`ll go wherever the ground suits. I imagine you`ll be seeing him out before long provided that it doesn`t rain.'

With Tobougg an absentee, Frankie Dettori is free to ride home challenger Exultation for John Oxx, who was supplemented to the race on Tuesday.

There is a host of other British contenders on the card with no less than nine set to line up in the 16-runner Listed Richard H Faught Memorial Stakes over five furlongs.