The Investec Derby field has been reduced to 12 as William Haggas’ South Easter will miss the race.

Four years ago the partisan crowd at Doncaster erupted when Bollin Eric galloped to victory in the St Leger, providing a local win for Yorkshiremen Tim Easterby and Kevin Darley.

The Michael Jarvis-trained Hala Bek will not run in the totesport Dante Stakes at York on Thursday and a Vodafone Derby bid is now on hold.

It is incredible to think that Frankie Dettori, the rider who has broken down barriers and taken racing to the wider public, has yet to win the world’s most famous race.

Rod Millman is hoping that the lowering of the safety limit to 20 for the Vodafone Derby will not prevent his live hope Prince Nureyev from lining up.