O´Brien Leaves Seven In Vodafone Derby Aidan O´Brien has left seven contenders in the 2005 Vodafone Derby at today´s forfeit stage although Dante Stakes fourth Albert Hall and 2000 Guineas winner Footstepsinthesand are withdrawals. There are 27 horses, two more than 12 months ago, remaining in the world´s most famous Flat race which is run at Epsom Downs on Saturday, June 4, and worth £1.25 million. Those left in by O´Brien are Chester Vase winner Gypsy King, Irish 2,000 Guineas hopeful Oratorio, impressive Leopardstown maiden winner Scorpion, yesterday´s Predominate Stakes second Indigo Cat, Grand Central, Almighty and Falstaff. Three other Irish-trained entries remain - the David Wachman-trained Fracas, winner of both the Classic Trial at Sandown and Group 2 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown, the John Oxx-trained Ehsan, who has won his only start and could meet Scorpion in Sunday´s Group 3 Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh, and the Kevin Prendergast-trained Qassas. Walk In The Park, trained for Michael Tabor by John Hammond, and Hurricane Run, from Andre Fabre´s stable, are the remaining entries from France. Last week´s exciting Dante Stakes winner Motivator, trained by Michael Bell for the 230-member Royal Ascot Racing Club, heads the home challenge, which also includes John Dunlop´s duo Kong and Unfurled, respectively winners of the Lingfield Derby Trial and Predominate Stakes. The Godolphin stable has three remaining entries, Irish 2,000 Guineas contender Dubawi, French 2,000 Guineas hero Shamardal and Belenus, who finished third in yesterday´s Predominate Stakes at Goodwood. The improving Hattan, winner of the Chester Vase, bids to give veteran handler Clive Brittain a first Vodafone Derby success while Sir Michael Stoute has left in both impressive Chester maiden winner Mountain High, a half-brother to Islington owned by Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor, and the Aga Khan´s Kalamkar, a fast-finishing fourth in the Chester Vase. The field is completed by Dante Stakes second The Geezer, trained by David Elsworth, Group 2 Prix Greffulhe second Plea Bargain, Chester Vase third First Row, the Richard Hannon-trained Kings Quay, the unraced Oakbridge from Alan Jarvis´s stable, and Thebestisyettocome, trained locally by Terry Mills. Stephen Wallis, Managing Director at Epsom Downs Racecourse, said today: 'This forfeit stage for the Vodafone Derby is the time when connections begin to play their Derby cards and I´m looking forward to seeing the winning hand.' There is a £75,000 supplementary entry stage for the Vodafone Derby on May 31.
