Epsom Ground Gets Godolphin Thumbs-Up Sheikh Mohammed last night expressed himself happy with the ground at Epsom ahead of Dubawi´s tilt at the Vodafone Derby on Saturday. He walked the Surrey track during the evening to ensure the ground was safe enough for his brilliant winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas, after the colt disappointed on fast ground at Newmarket. 'Sheikh Mohammed has looked at the ground and it is safe for Dubawi as it is right now,' said Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford. 'Obviously we have got another four days and we will keep an eye on it. I believe there is some rain forecast for the morning but, as it is at the moment, the ground is safe.' Dubawi is second in the Derby betting behind Motivator, though his position was yesterday challenged by Aidan O´Brien´s Gypsy King, who was the subject of sustained support after being put up by a popular tipping line. Coral were forced to cut the Dee Stakes winner into 4-1 from 11-2 while Ladbrokes now go 9-2 from 6s, with the firm carrying liabilities of over £500,000 on the Sadler´s Wells colt. ? PA Sport
