WITH 34 horses declared for the Epsorn Derby at yesterday's forfeit stage, Michael Stoute has confirmed Dr Massini over his injury scare and firmly on course for Epsom.
The Sadler's Wells colt, who leapt to the forefront of the Derby betting when beating King Alex in the Michael Seely Memorial Glasgow Conditions Stakes at York last week, was found to be lame on Monday morning.
But the Freemason Lodge trainer reported yesterday that Dr Massini was over his ailment and ready to be aimed at the Derby a fortnight on Saturday.
Mark of Esteem and Even Top, separated by about an inch in the 2,000 Guineas on May 4th, remain on course to renew rivalry, and the Newmarket runner up's trainer, Mark Tompkins, is confident of revenge.
"He has come out of the race in top form," he said speaking at Goodwood. "It was a hard race but it was his first race of the year and he has come on for it he is a hard horse."
There are no surprise absentees in the 34.
Luca Cumani's Mons and the Henry Cecil trained Silver Dome, both beaten by Santillana in the Thresher Classic Trial at Sandown on their reappearance, are defectors, as is Roger Charlton's King Alex, whose classic aspirations were put in their place by Dr Massini at York week.
Bidding to uphold family honour is Lammtarra's half brother Kammtarra.
One filly remains in the 34, the David Nicholls trained Portuguese Lil, the expected outsider of the field who will be ridden by Nicholls' wife Alex Greaves. Greaves will become the first lady jockey to take part in the race.
