Kinane sticks with Hawk Wing

Michael Kinane will be praying for the rain to stay away from Epsom after deciding to stick with Hawk Wing in the Stg#1.38million Vodafone Derby.

Persistent rain at Epsom on Wednesday fuelled speculation that the jockey might switch to Aidan O`Brien`s other leading contender, High Chaparral, in the premier Classic on Saturday.

But Kinane, who won the Derby 12 months ago on Galileo for O`Brien, had to make up his mind by 1pm today.

The forecast of dry weather over the next couple of days has swayed him to plump for the Sagitta 2000 Guineas runner-up leaving Johnny Murtagh to partner High Chaparral.

Kinane did not ride Hawk Wing at Newmarket as he was suspended but he did win the Group One Aga Khan Studs National Stakes on the Woodman colt at the Curragh last September.

Murtagh, who partners impressive Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes victor High Chaparral, was successful on Sinndar two years ago. Kieren Fallon is on the O`Brien third string Louisville.

DespiteKinane`s decision, Coral have eased Hawk Wing to 13-8 from 6-4 with High Chaparral trimmed to 2-1 from 9-4 after laying several large bets on Murtagh`s mount.

'This rain will not help Hawk Wing`s chances of staying the Derby trip, and if it continues High Chaparral may well start favourite for Saturday`s race,' said Coral spokesman Simon Clare.

William Hill, who also have the big two at those prices, reported a bet of Stg#10,000 at 6-1 on Bandari by a new telephone customer.

Bandari, 13-length winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial, is one of two runners from Mark Johnston`s Middleham stable - the other being Chester Vase victor Fight Your Corner.

The going at Epsom had begun to dry out this afternoon and has changed from soft, good to soft in places - after 37 millimetres of rain fell between 11am yesterday and 3am this morning - to good to soft, soft in places.

'It has just settled down and dried out. It`s no great surprise. It was a mixture of those two this morning,' said clerk of the course Andrew Cooper.

'We have had basically a dry day, just the odd spot, but not too bad.

'The whole of the back straight and the bend is good to soft. The only soft bits really are one or two places in the home straight at the moment.'

Dubai Destination was, as expected, the only withdrawal at today`s 48-hour final declaration stage for the Derby leaving a field of 12 going to post.

The Dubai Destination team of owners Godolphin and trainer Saeed bin Suroor will be double-handed with Naheef and Moon Ballad.

Frankie Dettori partners Naheef in a bid to record his first Derby triumph at the 10th attempt while Jamie Spencer, who is on Moon Ballad, will be having his first ride in the race on what will be his 22nd birthday.

Vodafone Derby betting:

Coral: 13-8 Hawk Wing (from 6-4), 2-1 High Chaparral (from 9-4), 9-2 Bandari, 15-2 Naheef, 10-1 Fight Your Corner, 16-1 Moon Ballad, 20-1 Coshocton, 25-1 Tholjanah, 33-1 Where Or When, Louisville, 50-1 Frankies Dream, 80-1 Jelani.

William Hill: 6-4 Hawk Wing (from 11-8), 2-1 High Chaparral (from 9-4), 5-1 Bandari (from 6), 7-1 Naheef, 10-1 Fight Your Corner, 16-1 Moon Ballad, 25-1 Coshocton, Tholjanah, 66-1 Louisville (from 50), 100-1 Where Or When, 150-1 Frankies Dream, Jelani.

Ladbrokes: 6-4 Hawk Wing, 9-4 High Chaparral, 5-1 Bandari, 8-1 Naheef, 10-1 Fight Your Corner, 16-1 Moon Ballad, 25-1 Coshocton, 25-1 Tholjanah, 40-1 Louisville, 50-1 Where Or When, 66-1 Frankies Dream, 100-1 Jelani.