Peslier out of Khan running

Olivier Peslier is unable to partner Ed Dunlop’s Native Khan in the Investec Derby as he is retained to ride in France on the same day.

Peslier was widely considered the first-choice deputy to replace Kieren Fallon in Saturday’s Epsom Classic after the six-times champion jockey opted to partner the Aidan O’Brien-trained Recital.

The French ace, who won the Derby aboard Luca Cumani’s High-Rise in 1998, rode Native Khan when the pair finished third in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, and was offered the plum mount once Fallon turned down Dunlop’s advances.

However, Peslier must instead ride Evaporation in the Group Three Prix du Palais-Royal at Longchamp for his retained owners, the Wertheimer brothers, at Longchamp on the same afternoon.

Peslier’s British agent Shippy Ellis confirmed: “Olivier Peslier was offered the ride but is unable to take it due to a retained ride in the Prix du Palais-Royal at Longchamp on the same day.”

Fallon, a three-times winner of the Premier Classic, has sided with the colt whom he partnered to victory in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial.

O’Brien is set to have four runners, with Christophe Soumillon aboard Dante runner-up Seville, Colm O’Donoghue riding Treasure Beach and the trainer’s son, Joseph, on Memphis Tennessee.

The riding arrangements were announced by O’Brien’s wife, Anne-Marie, on her Twitter account.

The Irish trainer has also left in Roderic O’Connor among the 17 horses confirmed at the five-day stage, but the Irish 2000 Guineas winner is instead likely to run in the French Derby at Chantilly on Sunday.

Dunlop, meanwhile, remains on the look-out for a new rider.

The Newmarket handler said: “Obviously I’m disappointed for the clients who specifically wanted Kieren, but the enticement of the great Ballydoyle battleship steered him towards their horse.

“The horse is very well. We must not forget he has run five times and Fallon has actually only ridden him twice.”

Carlton House is the hot favourite to give The Queen a first victory in the Derby.

“Carlton House is on target for Epsom,” said The Queen’s racing manager John Warren.

“He had a nice blow yesterday at Newmarket and the trainer is very happy with him at this point.

“Carlton House will be kept ticking over this week.

“There is excitement all round and I think the whole country is starting to focus on it and everyone is excited by the prospect.”

Godolphin’s hopes appear to rest with Ocean War – though Sheikh Mohammed’s operation have also left in Casamento and Genius Beast as a precaution.

“We are very much leaning towards Ocean War as being our Derby contender, with Casamento going for the Prix du Jockey Club and Genius Beast waiting for the King Edward (at Royal Ascot),” said Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford.

“All three have stayed in at the confirmation stage, that gives us a little more time as a precautionary measure in case we have to change our plans at the last minute, but as things stand that is what we’ll do.

“Ocean War has done very well – he’s unbeaten this season.

“What we like about him is his very tenacious attitude.

“We’re pretty certain a mile and a half will suit him very well.

“We think a true-run race will help him and we expect to see him to do all his best work at the finish.

“On the book we know he’s got plenty to find and he’s got to improve a great deal on what’s done so far, but he’s done nothing but please us throughout the whole programme towards the Derby.”

Like Native Khan, Andre Fabre’s Pour Moi also worked at Epsom on Thursday, and is set to be joined on the trip from France by the Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained Vadamar.

Vadamar was odds-on to beat Pour Moi in the Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud earlier this month, but could only finish third behind his fellow Epsom aspirant.

Georges Rimaud, racing manager to his owner, the Aga Khan, admits the colt needs to progress, but recent home-work prompted connections to have a go.

“We have decided to let him run. He worked well this morning, I am told,” said Rimaud.

“The horse has to improve, but we hope he can.

“Pour Moi is a good horse as well, obviously, but we believe Vadamar has the right to run.”

The going on the Derby course is described as good.