Telescope (right) was laboured in his workout at Lingfield on Wednesday
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)Stoute rules Telescope out of Derby after gallop
TELESCOPE will not run in the Investec Derby next month according to his trainer Sir Michael Stoute after a lacklustre gallop at Lingfield on Wednesday.
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Speaking at Epsom's Breakfast with the Stars event on Thursday, Stoute revealed that the Highclere-owned son on Galileo had soreness in his left-fore shin and would miss Epsom.
Telescope had been the leading British candidate for the Derby but following his withdrawal the unbeaten Dawn Approach was cut to 4-5 favourite by Coral for the premier Classic.
Stoute said: "He has a bit of soreness on his left fore shin. I have had a quick word with Harry [Herbert] and this horse will not be going to Epsom.
"He has got wrong legs and things are not going right. I think he is telling us ‘just back off me for a while.'"
Telescope's Derby defection brings to an end a disappointing few days for the horse who first missed his intended preparation for the race in the Betfred Dante Stakes after picking up a minor injury in the horsebox.
Aidan O'Brien and Joseph O'Brien
PICTURE: Edward WhitakerWorse was to come at Lingfield on Wednesday when, partnered by Ryan Moore in front of his owners, which include Sir Alex Ferguson, Telescope laboured to finish in front of two inferior rivals.
Harry Herbert, Highclere's managing director, had been hopeful that Telescope would have the opportunity to gain a place at Epsom in a final gallop on Saturday before being informed by Stoute that the Derby was no longer an option.
With the British Derby challenge faltering, the main threat to Dawn Approach appears to be from Ireland with trainer Aidan O'Brien confirming Battle Of Marengo and Mars for the race.
O'Brien added that son Joseph was "short enough odds" to ride Battle Of Marengo but would not be drawn on who else might form his Derby team.
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