South Easter misses Derby

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

Chester’s Dee Stakes winner has scoped badly with barely 24 hours to go before the Classic.

The news comes as a huge blow to the colt’s owner, South African Bernard Kantor, as he is managing director of Investec who stepped in to sponsor the meeting at the 11th-hour.

Haggas has still to field a runner in the race since his only other contender, Shaamit, won in 1996.