Unbeaten colt Highest Ground to miss Derby in favour of the Dante

Newmarket interest in next Saturday's Investec Derby has further diminished after the classy Highest Ground was ruled out of the Classic by connections on Friday morning.

A day after fellow HQ hope Military March was sidelined with injury, Highest Ground is set to miss Epsom in favour of a possible tilt at the rescheduled Group 2 Dante Stakes at York next month.

Highest Ground, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, maintained his unbeaten record when defeating the useful Waldkonig on his reappearance in a 1m2½f novice event at Haydock on Wednesday, but connections feel the Derby comes too soon for the inexperienced colt.

A 14-1 chance with Paddy Power for Derby glory, Highest Ground is owned by the Niarchos family, whose racing manager Alan Cooper said: "Highest Ground won nicely at Haydock but we've always thought the Derby would come too soon for him.

"He's still inexperienced having had just the two races and Sir Michael doesn't think going to Epsom would be the right thing by the horse at the present time."

The son of Frankel, who won his sole start as a juvenile over seven furlongs at Leicester in October, could now head to York for the Dante Stakes, which Stoute has won six times, most recently with Carlton House in 2011.

Lingfield Derby Trial winner English King is the general 5-2 ante-post favourite for the Derby, followed in the market by Qipco 2,000 Guineas winner Kameko at a best-priced 5-1 with Ladbrokes, William Hill and Coral.

Highland Chief to be entered for Derby

Royal Ascot winner Highland Chief will feature among initial entries for the Derby on Monday, co-trainer Paul Cole has confirmed.

The colt's impressive win in the new Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot on Gold Cup day cemented the new training partnership of Cole with his son Oliver, who were allowed to team up at Whatcombe when racing resumed this month under new BHA rules for joint-licences.

The Gleneagles colt, owned by Fitri Hay, has shortened in the betting for the Epsom Classic, and Paul Cole confirmed he will be entered on Monday, although a final decision on his participation has not been made.

Highland Chief (right) has been backed for the Investec DerbyCredit: Julian Finney (Getty Images)

He said: "I don't think there's any gamble going on as so many other horses are dropping out. No decision has been made, though, about running him."

Paddy Power cut Highland Chief to 12-1 for Epsom with bet365 not far behind at 16-1, although Ladbrokes were still going 20-1 from the early-morning 33-1.

Cole, champion trainer in 1991 when Generous won the Derby, Irish Derby and King George under Alan Munro, added: "I can't see any problem with Epsom for him and the way he finished so strongly at Ascot suggests he will stay well.

"He has come out of Ascot fine and is a tough horse with no problems since suffering from ulcers. I think that was the reason for his only disappointing run in the Royal Lodge at the end of last season."

Investec Derby betting

bet365: 5-2 English King, 7-2 Kameko, 8 Russian Emperor, 9 Vatican City, 10 Mogul, 16 Highland Chief, Ocean Atlantique, Pyledriver, 25 bar

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