Stoute rules out Derby bid for Mirage Dancer after workout

Five-time Derby-winning trainer Sir Michael Stoute will not be represented in the Classic this year after ruling Dee Stakes fourth Mirage Dancer out of the race.

The son of Frankel, who was a general 16-1 chance for the Epsom showpiece, failed to sparkle in a workout on the Limekilns on Wednesday.

Stoute said: "We won't be having a runner in the Derby this year as Mirage Dancer won't be going."

A winner of a Doncaster maiden in October, Mirage Dancer, owned by Khalid Abdullah, may now head to Royal Ascot next month.

He is entered in the King Edward VII Stakes, which Stoute won with Across The Stars last year and which could also be a target for the trainer's promising Dante Stakes third Crystal Ocean.

Feilden Stakes second Salouen will be a first Derby runner for Sylvester Kirk, who said: "We were planning to run him in the Dante Stakes at York last week but the ground went against him. It was just too soft for him as he likes quicker ground.

"We are looking forward to running him at Epsom Downs. You have to come down the hill and stay in the Investec Derby – everything has to come together on the day.

"It looks a very open race. I know it's always going to be difficult and he's a longshot but he's in great form and we're looking forward to taking our chance."

Cliffs Of Moher and Cracksman continue to battle it out for favouritism for the Derby with Aidan O’Brien’s Dee Stakes scorer a best-priced 9-2 with Betfair, one of several firm's offering the same price about John Gosden’s leading contender, who galloped at Epsom on Tuesday morning.

Ground conditions have dried slightly since that Breakfast With The Stars workout.

Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said: "It was on the slow side of good earlier this week but it's just about good now."

This weekend could be crucial in determining whether there is give in the ground for the Derby meeting, which gets under way next Friday.

"The forecast's quite mixed and there is some uncertainty but there's the chance of thundery weather on Saturday and into the early part of next week," Cooper said.

"In terms of rainfall the weekend looks like being crucial as it's forecast to settle down from the early part of the week – although it will be cooler, it's due to stay dry."

Investec Derby card and betting