The 2,000 Guineas winner was taken out of the race just 90 minutes before the big race over concerns that the ground would be too soft for the colt
The Derby field suffered a major blow when leading hope Ruling Court was declared a non-runner 90 minutes before the race. Ruling Court, trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin, captured the 2,000 Guineas in May and was hotly fancied to make the leap up to a mile-and-a-half in the £1.5 million Betfred-sponsored contest.
But Appleby had been concerned about rain at Epsom and ahead of a forecast heavy downpour he took the decision to scratch the colt. Just 24 hours earlier hot favourite Desert Flower, the 1,000 Guineas winner also trained by Appleby, could finish only third in the Oaks.
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On Saturday jockey William Buick returned from riding in the first race to report he was “not happy with the ground” at Epsom.
He was then seen in deep conversation with Appleby as they discussed whether to allow Ruling Court take his chance before the final decision was made, reducing the Derby field to 18 runners.
“The horse was in great nick but I said yesterday the ground was obviously a concern,” Appleby told ITV Racing.
“It rode generally good to soft here yesterday. We appreciate it was probably drying out over the course of the day. There was 3mm of rain overnight on open ground.
“We arrived here with an open mind and to let William ride in the first race. He felt it was riding good to soft ground and speaking to a few other jocks they were all on the same page.
“This horse, we know that stamina was an unknown for him. We felt, from what we saw in the Guineas on quick ground, and the way he quickened on the day, this was not going to be the ground for him over a testing mile and a half, bearing in mind we hopefully have a fruitful summer ahead with Royal Ascot and the Eclipse just around the corner.
“Needless to say we are disappointed not be able to run because of the conditions. I would imagine we will take a strong view of the St James’s Palace Stakes and the Eclipse thereafter.”
Appleby added that “the combination of the ground and the track” contributed to Desert Flower’s defeat.
“We felt from five out our filly was beaten. It wasn’t something she was used to,” he said.
