St Nicholas Abbey likely to miss Derby

IT is looking increasingly likely that the much-hyped St Nicholas Abbey will miss the Investec Derby at Epsom next Saturday.

Reported to have worked quite brilliantly earlier in the week, the son of Montjeu more than disappointed connections on the Ballydoyle gallops yesterday morning, prompting Aidan O’Brien to issue a statement.

Said O’Brien: “Johnny (Murtagh) rode St Nicholas Abbey this morning and felt the colt may not have shown the same sparkle as he had when he rode him on Tuesday morning, therefore he won’t make up his mind what horse he rides in the Investec Derby until the middle of next week.”