States has chance to shine as Wohler stablemate pulled out

148th IDEE Deutsches Derby | Group 1 | 3yo colts & fillies | 1m4f

Three-time Derby-winning trainer Andreas Wohler was forced on Saturday to admit defeat in his race against time with Langtang – one of Germany's leading juveniles last season – after the son of Campanologist picked up a small knock on Tuesday.

Wohler told the German media: "He's 95 per cent fit but we don't want to take any risks."

The stable now relies on Qatar Racing's Warring States, who won a Munich Group 3 in May before finishing fourth to likely Derby favourite Colomano in a falsely run Union Rennen at Cologne in his final trial.

Wohler told the Racing Post: "Warring States won a Group race at the beginning of the year in Munich on really soft ground. He needs plenty of pace to settle, which is why Promise Of Peace is there, to ensure an even gallop. Whereas Langtang is more of a galloper, Warring States has a bit more speed."

Colomano led home a one-two-three in the Union Rennen for trainer Markus Klug, who saddles seven runners in all.

The mount of Andreas Helfenbein, Colomano had half a length to spare over Windstoss, with another two and a quarter lengths back to Northsea Star in third.

The open nature of this year's race – and perhaps the feeling among rival trainers that the Union Rennen was not a decisive trial given its uneven pace and the prospect of much slower ground on Sunday – is illustrated by the fact that all eight runners from the Cologne Group 2 try their luck again.

Peter Schiergen and seven-time Derby-winning jockey Andrasch Starke rely on Enjoy Vijay, who could finish only sixth in the trial but who previously was just a neck behind Warring States.

"I think he needs to improve and I can’t be sure he'll stay," said Schiergen. "He ran very well on soft ground in Munich behind Warring States but the fast going in the Union Rennen was a problem. He's a good horse and I think he's in better form now."

Parviz was unraced at two but is two from three this season and secured Listed success at the expense of Sargas at Hanover last month.

His victim on that occasion is one of two Derby runners for trainer Jean-Pierre Carvalho and owner Baron von Ullman.

Jockey Filip Minarik stays loyal to Sargas while Fabrice Veron takes over on Monreal, who finished less than two lengths behind Waldgeist in the Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud.

Carvalho said: "Monreal needs a proper gallop and there was no pace in the Union Rennen. They went a bit like they do in France, which doesn’t suit him. In a race with a better rhythm Monreal is capable of showing up much better than last time, although it will still be tough."

He added: "Sargas was beaten last time by Parvis – who I think is a very good horse – but he really hated going left-handed. He didn’t handle the turn at all and I think he'll be better right-handed. Unfortunately he lacks experience and, while he could create a surprise, I think he's a horse for the future. Soft ground won’t bother him."