St Nicholas Abbey to miss Derby

Investec Derby meeting, Epsom 4-5 June
Coverage: BBC TV, 5 live and BBC Sport website

St Nicholas Abbbey left his rivals trailing in the 2009 Racing Post Trophy

Long-time favourite St Nicholas Abbey will miss the Epsom Derby on Saturday because of a "slight muscle injury".

The colt, trained by Aidan O'Brien, had been market leader for seven months but was ousted as favourite on Friday by stablemate Jan Vermeer.

Bookmakers estimate his absence is a £3m blow for ante-post punters, whose bets will be regarded as lost.

"We always thought St Nicholas Abbey could walk on water and it is very unfortunate," said O'Brien.

St Nicholas Abbey was one of six entries from 15 confirmations left in the Classic field on Monday.

As a two-year-old, he was a brilliant winner of the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, which extended his unbeaten juvenile record to three races.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to St Nicholas Abbey's absence

He returned to the track last month in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, in which he finished sixth behind Makfi.

O'Brien still holds a strong hand at Epsom, however, with new favourite Jan Vermeer, the winner of the Gallinule Stakes.

The Ballydoyle trainer also has Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial winner Midas Touch and Dante Stakes victor Cape Blanco, along with likely pacemakers At First Sight and Bright Horizon.

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Derby odds: 13-8 Jan Vermeer (from 7-4), 11-2 Workforce (from 6), 6-1 Midas Touch (from 7), Bullet Train (from 8), 9-1 Rewilding, 12-1 Azmeel, Cape Blanco, 20-1 Coordinated Cut, 25-1 Al Zir, 40-1 Ted Spread, 66-1 Buzzword, Hot Prospect 150-1 At First Sight, 200-1 Bright Horizon (William Hill 0930 BST, Tuesday)

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