THE BRITISH challenge for Sunday's Budweiser Irish Derby will rest largely with Silver Patriarch after yesterday's decision not to supplement Oaks winner Reams Of Verse for the race and the expected withdrawal of Entrepreneur.

Speculation had risen that Khalid Abdullah would pay £70,000 to put Reams Of Verse in the race but that was knocked on the head yesterday when Abdullah's racing manager Grant Pritchard Gordon declared: "Reams Of Verse will not run in the Irish Derby."

Michael Stoute confirmed the decision not to run Entrepreneur yesterday and said: "He returned from Epsom with right-side hamstring strain. Intensive physiotherapy enabled him to resume cantering on June 17th but a weekend gallop determined he would not be at a peak in time for the Curragh."

That leaves the Barry Hills-trained The Fly, fifth in the Epsom Derby, as the only other likely British-trained runner in Sunday's big race.

Romanov, third at Epsom, runs instead in the Prix Eugene Adam in France and the Epsom winner, Benny The Dip, goes for the Eclipse Stakes.

A final decision on whether Strawberry Roan will be supplemented will be taken after she works this morning.

However, the Aidan O'Brien-trained filly has already been installed 3 to 1 second favourite by Liam Cashman bookmakers in the expectation that the £70,000 supplementary fee will be paid.

A possible surprise supplementing of Sunday's Gowran Park winner, Token Gesture for the Derby has not been completely ruled out either by Dermot Weld, although the Curragh trainer said yesterday it was unlikely.

Weld's Casey Tibbs has already been confirmed a definite runner.

Cashman's prices are: 5/4 Silver Patriarch, 3/1 Strawberry Roan, 7/1 Johan Cruyff, 8/1 The Fly, 10/1 Dr Johnson, 14/1 Verglas, 16/1 Casey Tibbs, 40/1 Olympic Majesty, 100/1 Buddy Marvel.