With this year's Epsom Derby now just a matter of weeks away, Britain's richest race meeting has been dealt a blow in the build up to the race, following the withdrawal of many big names. The likes of The Gurkha, Midterm and Minding all look set to miss out on the Derby, having at one stage all been among the favourites to claim their share of the £1.325million prize money on offer this year. The famous race is set for a further cash injection from 2017, with prize money set to top £1.5million for the first time in its history.
Trainer Aiden O'Brien has recently confirmed that The Gurkha is unlikely to take part at Epsom, with a run in the St James' Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot next month appearing more likely. The recent French 2,000 Guineas winner is now the 7/4 favourite with bookmakers Coral to claim glory come at Ascot. However, severe competition to such a prize could come in the shape of Awtaad, who is another horse to have passed up the opportunity to compete at Epsom. Despite not being their tip for the race, Coral offer Awtaad odds of 7/2 to claim another win for owner Sheikh Hamdan after winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas.
Elsewhere, 1,000 Guineas winner Minding has also been withdrawn from Epsom, with O'Brien not convinced that his horse can stay the distance over the mile and a half long course. After being the early favourite as a result of recent success at Newmarket, a recent loss to Jet Setting in the Irish 1,000 Guineas has seen him be pushed out to 5/4 for the oaks at Epsom instead.
Meanwhile, a stress fracture to the pelvis of Midtern means he is yet another casualty for the Derby, with the former 10/1 shot with Coral picking up the injury in a disappointing fifth place finish in the recent Dante. Yet more uncertainty surrounds the inclusion of Algometer, with trainer David Simock stating that his horse would only line up at Epsom if the ground is soft.
Such withdrawals now mean that the Horse Racing tips for the Derby see Wings of Desire and US Army Ranger as the two favourites, with odds of 7/2 and 4/1 respectively for the race.
