Golan run depends on ground

There will have to be a significant ease in the current 'good to firm' ground at the Curragh if Golan is to run in Sunday`s Budweiser Irish Derby.

A spokesperson for trainer Michael Stoute said yesterday that another clash between Golan and his Epsom conqueror Galileo is 'all ground dependant' but the colt will be left in today`s declaration stage.

However, Peter Reynolds, the racing manger to Golan`s owner Lord Weinstock, has walked the track and said yesterday his opinion was that the horse would not be allowed run on such a fast track.

'The ground is very firm at the moment and my opinion is that if the race was held today, Golan would not run,' said Reynolds.

The Curragh management are holding fire on a watering decision since there are some heavy thundery showers forecast for the Kildare area over the next 48 hours.

Galileo is likely to have two stable companions running with him in Sunday`s classic.

Aidan O`Brien has described both Ice Dancer and Pebble Island as likely runners but neither in a pacemaking capacity.

'Galileo doesn`t mind about pace and the two will run on their merits. We are very happy with Galileo and everything has gone fine with him since Epsom,' he said yesterday.

A decision on whether or not the Epsom third Tobougg will run in the Derby won`t be taken until later in the week.