Aidan O'Brien: trainer could run just two as he goes for a third Derby win
PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)O'Brien could run just two in Saturday's Derby
AIDAN O'BRIEN raised the possibility on Wednesday night of only having two runners in Saturday's Investec Derby which could lead the joint-smallest field for more than 100 years.
Ryan Moore will ride Astrology when the Dee Stakes winner will join stablemate Camelot, the odds on favourite, in the line-up for the Classic.
Speaking on Wednesday night O'Brien said: "Camelot and Astrology will represent us in the Derby. Joseph [O'Brien] rides Camelot and Ryan [Moore] will be on Astrology. Decisions about the other three colts we have in the race - Imperial Monarch, Father Of Science and Tower Rock - will be made in the morning.
"There is a possibility that Imperial Monarch might go to Chantilly for the Prix du Jockey Club on Sunday instead while we are having further blood tests done on Father Of Science and Tower Walk. We will make all those decisions before declaration time in the morning."
Astrology made all to win the Dee Stakes at Chester by 11 lengths while Imperial Monarch, winner of his only start last year, landed the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown on his reappearance last month.
If O'Brien takes three runners out and the others all stand their ground at Thursday's final declaration stage a field of nine, the same as in 1907, will go to post.
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