Nayef to miss Derby

Nayef, winter favourite for the Vodafone Derby, was today ruled out of the premier Classic by trainer Marcus Tregoning.

Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum`s colt has been disappointing in his two starts this season and last time finished eighth behind Golan in the Sagitta 2000 Guineas.

Nayef worked this morning and Tregoning said: 'I had a discussion with Sheikh Hamdan and realistically Nayef at the moment wouldn`t win the Epsom Derby so he will miss the Derby.

'I think it`s best to give Epsom a miss rather than give him a hard race to finish sixth.

'We will be making plans for him a little bit later on but I think it`s the right decision. The Guineas form has taken a bit of a knock and I think we should wait and give him a bit of a chance.

'He`s grown an awful lot and I just feel his strength has gone for the time being.

'There`s a race or two at Royal Ascot but I think it`s more likely we`ll wait with him to give him every opportunity of fulfilling the exciting potential he showed last year.'

Coral Eurobet have eased Derby favourite Golan to 5-2 (from 9-4) following the news that the Sagitta 2000 Guineas winner would be denied the services of jockey Kieren Fallon at Epsom.

Fallon was banned for three days (June 9th, 10th and 11th) for irresponsible riding of a minor nature on Distinctive Dream at Ayr today.

Stablemate Dilshaan is now 11-2 (from 6-1), and Predominate Stakes winner Asian Heights has been trimmed to 7-1 (from 15-2).

'Although it had yet to be officially confirmed, most people expected Fallon to be on board Golan for the Derby. Now that is no longer the case, punters are looking elsewhere, particularly towards Dilshaan,' commented David Stevens, Coral Eurobet spokesman.

Coral Eurobet: 5-2 (from 9-4) Golan, 3-1 Galileo, 11-2 (from 6-1) Dilshaan, 7-1 (from 15-2) Asian Heights, 8-1 (from 10-1) Perfect Sunday, 12-1 Tobougg, 14-1 Chancellor, Putra Sandhurst, 20-1 Storming Home, Wareed, 25-1 Beckett, Milan, 33-1 bar.

William Hill: 2-1 Golan, 10-3 Galileo, 11-2 Dilshaan, 7-1 Asian Heights, 8-1 Perfect Sunday, 14-1 Chancellor (from 16-1), 20-1 Putra Sandhurst, 25-1 Storming Home, 33-1 bar.