Percy Still In Derby Picture

Marcus Tregoning rates Sir Percy's chances of running in the Vodafone Derby as ?50-50'.

The Mark Of Esteem colt finished a gallant second to George Washington in the 2000 Guineas but his bid for Epsom glory has been in doubt after he returned home sore from Newmarket.

Tregoning has quashed fears the horse has suffered any further setbacks but he is still not in a position to confirm the three-year-old's participation in the Derby.

'When he ran at Newmarket the ground was very firm that day,' said the Lambourn-handler.

'He's a good-actioned horse and he just came out of the race a little bit sore.

'We elected to give him time just walking but he's back in exercise now and we'll have more of an idea next week whether he will be running.

'He is sound but it's whether he's back to where he was before the 2000 Guineas and I'm afraid we are going to have to wait until nearer the time before we can make a decision on that,' he told At The Races.

'It would be a little concern that he came out of his last race unlike he came out of any of his races as a two-year-old.

'As we stand I think it's 50-50 on whether he runs or not. We know he'll have to be 150% to win a Derby.

'However, between the Champagne Stakes and the Dewhurst last year he only did two bits of work so he is a very clean winded horse and he doesn't need lots of galloping.

'He was in peak form for the Guineas and we wouldn't have done much with him anyway.

'I would not run him and risk him unless I thought he was absolutely spot on.'

? PA Sport