Rain to provide course watering

With unsettled weather forecast, there are no plans for watering of the course at Epsom ahead of the prestigious Vodafone-sponsored meeting this weekend.

Not that clerk of the course Andrew Cooper has his attentions focused solely on the forthcoming few days. His wife Julie gave birth to a 9st 4lb son, a third child for the family, during what his assistant Brian Clifford described as "a very long night".

Cooper visited the course briefly yesterday but quickly returned home, via the hospital, for a well-earned sleep.

The advance going remains good with Clifford reporting: "We watered a little bit in the home straight today but I think we will probably leave it now with a view to keeping it good for the rest of the week.

"The forecast is for a dry day tomorrow and Thursday but for unsettled weather on Friday and Saturday."

No decision has been taken regarding the participation of Hataab in the Derby. Trainer Ed Dunlop worked the colt - who scoped poorly last week - yesterday morning and said: "I was very pleased with him and hopefully he is now back on track."

But owner Hamdan Al Maktoum already has leading fancy Sakhee in the race and may opt against being doubly represented. His racing manager Angus Gold said no decision would be made until the horse's condition is ascertained today.

Kevin Darley has confirmed that he will be able to ride Hatha Anna for the Godolphin. Darley had been disappointed when his original intended mount Saddler's Quest was ruled out because of lameness.

Epsom Derby betting - Tote bet: 3/1 King's Best, 100/30 Beat Hollow, 9/2 Aristotle, 7/1 Sakhee, 9/1 Best of the Bests, Sinndar, 16/1 Wellbeing, 20/1 Barathea Guest, Kingsclere, 25/ 1 Hataab, Shakespeare, 33/1 Going Global, Inchlonaig, 40/1 St Expedit, 50/1 Hatha Anna, 100/1 Cracow, Zyz.

William Hill bet: 11/4 King's Best, 10/3 Beat Hollow, 5/1 Aristotle, 8/1 Sakhee, 9/1 Best Of The Bests, 10/1 Sinndar, 14/1 Wellbeing (from 16/1), 16 Barathea Guest, 20/1 Kingsclere, 33/1 Hataab, Inchlonaig (from 50/1), 40/1 bar.

Ladbrokes bet: 3/1 King's Best, 7/2 Beat Hollow, 9/2 Aristotle, 8/1 Sakhee, 10/1 Sinndar, Best of the Bests, 14/1 Wellbeing, 20/1 Hataab, Kingsclere, Barathea Guest, 33/1 Going Global, Inchlonaig (from 50/1), 40/1 St Expedit, Shakespeare, 66/1 Hatha Anna, Zyz, 100/1 Cracow.