Galileo Gold back in Derby frame

Galileo Gold remains a possible runner in the Investec Derby. Image courtesy of Racingfotos.com.

Galileo Gold could yet seek more QIPCO British Champions Series glory in next month’s Investec Derby.

The emphatic QIPCO 2000 Guineas winner was last week ruled out of the Epsom showpiece, with Hugo Palmer, his trainer, saying his stable star would remain over a mile after pedigree tests suggested there was little chance of his optimum trip being a mile and a half.

However, no final decision on his participation in the Derby will be made until at least after he has run in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday week.

“We just want to leave all options open because you never know,” said Harry Herbert, racing advisor for the owners Al Shaqab. “If he happens to go to Ireland and win impressively, who knows?

“Just to shut the door completely is not something Sheikh Joaan [of Al Shaqab] wants to do and that’s absolutely fine.

“I’m not saying he’s going to run in the Derby. That’s not going to happen unless lots of pieces of the jigsaw fall into place and even then he may not run.

“It’s purely keeping everything open, which is perfectly sensible.”

Bookmakers have reintroduced Galileo Gold at 10-1. Since last week, he has traded at 499-1 on Betfair.

Herbert is also Highclere’s racing manager and has explained why Frankie Dettori will ride the John Gosden-trained Wings Of Desire, owned by Lady Bamford, in the Betfred Dante at York on Thursday instead of his stablemate Foundation, who carries the Highclere colours.

“He’s not getting off because he thinks the other horse is going to beat Foundation,” Herbert said. “It’s purely for it to be a good guide for John and even if Foundation won, he is no certainty to go to the Derby.

“It may be considered better that he goes for a French Derby. Frankie still needs to know whether the other horse is a live Derby candidate.”