O'Brien entrants may stop Prince entering Derby

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.

The English trainer has high hopes for the colt, who shrugged off early-season problems with a pulled muscle to score at Newbury on his latest start.

But the prospects of Irish maestro Aidan O’Brien running five or even more in Europe’s richest race has led Millman to fear that his charge might be prevented from taking part by virtue of his lower official rating.

The maximum field for the race was reduced to 20 after last year’s running, with Andrew Cooper citing the importance of the safety of horse and rider.

Erhaab beat 24 rivals in 1994 but since then, there has only been 20 runners on one occasion, when Shaamit won in 1996.

A total of 31 horses are currently entered for the race, but with Norse Dancer, Kris Kin and Dutch Gold all possibly set to be added next week, the chances of the final field numbering 20 look even greater.

However, Millman is hoping that Prince Nureyev will be able to secure a place in the race.

“I wouldn’t have entered him if I didn’t think he was up to it,” he said.

“He is a good horse, a very good horse. When he went to the Chesham Stakes last year on his debut he ran a huge race to finish fourth. We always thought a lot of him.

“I wasn’t at all surprised when he won at Newbury last time out and he will handle the track at Epsom.

“If Steve Drowne is available then he would be asked to ride him but if we don’t get in we will wait for Royal Ascot.”