Investec Derby 2015 news round-up: Zawraq suffers injury scare

Connections of Zawraq have warned the colt is not certain to line up in Saturday’s Investec Derby after suffering an injury scare this morning.

The Dermot Weld trained colt, who is unbeaten in two starts and 5/1 with Coral for the big race, was found to be slightly lame on returning to the yard following a satisfactory piece of work.

Three-year-old Zawraq was taken to the vets for an X-ray and scans and they came back fine as regards serious injury.

The only thing that showed up was a small mark on the inside of his near-fore cannon bone, and connections are hoping that Zawraq has just given himself a knock.

He will be iced and assessed over the next 36 hours to see if anything further comes to light.

Zawraq is owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, and his racing manager Angus Gold said he expects him to be remain in the field at the next declaration stage on Thursday before a final decision is made regarding his participation.

Giovanni Canaletto has replaced stablemate Hans Holbein as Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien’s leading Investec Derby hope in the betting following heavy and constant support in the last 24 hours.

Having been available at 16/1 with Coral following yesterday’s confirmation stage, the colt is now trading at 8/1 after being backed at all rates.

The son of Galileo was forced to miss his intended run in the Chester Vase last month after scoping badly, and could finish only second in the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh on his delayed return after being sent off the even-money favourite.

However, Giovanni Canaletto only got beat a 1/4 of a length after being given plenty to do and tenderly handled and has always been held in very high regard by connections.

Hans Holbein remains unchnaged at 12/1 with Coral, who go 20/1 about O’Brien’s third Derby hopeful Kilimanjaro.

Jockey Frankie Dettori, who is set to partner favourite Golden Horn in the Investec Derby, believes stable companion Jack Hobbs and one of the Aidan O’Brien trained trio could prove the main dangers in the feature race at Epsom.

Dettori, who rode Authorized to glory in 2007, is delighted with his mount’s preparation and has a “gut feeling” that the John Gosden trained unbeaten colt will stay the 1m 4f trip – despite not being sure to do so on breeding.

However, the Italian said that Jack Hobbs has improved significantly since finishing a 2 1/2 length runner-up to Golden Horn in the Dante Stakes at York last month, and is convinced his confirmed stamina makes the 5/1 current joint-second favoruite with Coral a big player.

O’Brien has won the last three renewals of the Classic with Camelot, Ruler Of The World and Australia and saddles Giovanni Canletto, Hans Holbein and Kilimanjaro in Saturday’s contest (16.30).

They are all proven stayers, and Dettori said: “You can never dismiss Aidan O’Brien, he’s a master and whatever he runs you have to respect.”