Abbey stands ground for Derby
There is one final chance for connections to enter in the contest at the five-day declaration stage when a supplementary fee of £75,000 is needed.
That is thought to be the likeliest course of action for Godolphin’s Rewilding, an impressive winner at Goodwood this week.
Sheikh Mohammed’s operation already have Al Zir, Chabal and Ameer engaged.
In addition to St Nicholas Abbey, Aidan O’Brien can also call on Derrinstown Derby Trial winner Midas Touch and Dante Stakes hero Cape Blanco, plus Jan Vermeer, At First Sight and Bright Horizon.
Khalid Abdullah still has two possibles in Lingfield Derby Trial winner Bullet Train, trained by Henry Cecil, and Workforce, who is in the care of Sir Michael Stoute.
John Gosden’s Azmeel and Michael Bell’s Coordinated Cut are also still engaged.
Meanwhile, there is a nine-strong Irish contingent among the 25 entries still in the Investec Oaks field at Epsom next month.
Jim Bolger has left in Akdarena and Gile Na Greine, with the latter due to run in the Irish 1000 Guineas this weekend.
The same is true of Kevin Prendergast’s Termagant, winner of the Moyglare Stud Stakes last season.
Aidan O’Brien’s Remember When and Lillie Langtry are others engaged in this weekend’s Classic and are two of six for the Ballydoyle handler at Epsom.
Awe Inspiring, Cabaret, Famous and Lady Lupus are the others.
Barry Hills has yet to win the Oaks but he has a live outsider in Champagnelifestyle, third in the Cheshire Oaks.
Marcus Tregoning houses the favourite, Rumoush, and is just putting the finishing touches to her preparation.
“She’s fine and on course for the race,” said the Lambourn-based handler.
Henry Cecil has taken out Newbury winner Principal Role but still has strong strong strings to his bow in Timepiece and Aviate.
