Derby market in disarray after news of Luxembourg setback forces a reshuffle

The Cazoo Derby market is in disarray after Aidan O'Brien revealed hot favourite Luxembourg has met with a setback and could face a race against time to be fit for the Epsom Classic on June 4.

Stablemate and Chester Vase winner Changingoftheguard is now vying for favouritism having been as big as 50-1 earlier in the week.

An eyecatching third to Coroebus in last weekend's 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket after stumbling early on, Luxembourg was the general 2-1 market leader for the Derby before news of the setback surfaced.

The son of Camelot's participation is now in some doubt, which means it could be Wednesday's wide-margin Chester winner Changingoftheguard who spearheads the Ballydoyle challenge at Epsom.

Luxembourg and Aidan O'Brien at home at BallydoyleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

O'Brien told the Racing Post on Friday: "Luxembourg was a little bit off after his canter this morning. He was a little lame on his off-hind.

"We are not sure of the reason why at this stage, but we wanted to let everybody know with the Derby coming up. Hopefully in a couple of days, we will know more and we will issue an update then."

As well as Changingoftheguard, O'Brien also has Thursday's Dee Stakes winner Star Of India, Point Lonsdale and Stone Age – his sole runner in Sunday's Derrinstown Derby Trial at Leopardstown – as possible runners in the premier Classic as he bids for a ninth win in the race.

Ladbrokes' Nicola McGeady said: "Luxembourg's setback has stirred up the Derby market. He's the only horse we have properly laid for the race and his supporters will have a nervy couple of days waiting for an update."

Some much-needed light could be shed on the Derby picture next Thursday at York when impressive Nottingham maiden winner Desert Crown contests the Group 2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes.

Desert Crown is 2-1 favourite for the Dante with William Hill but Bruce Raymond, racing manager for owner Saeed Suhail, said defeat at York wouldn't be the end of the world for the son of Nathaniel.

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He said: "The plan is to run him on Thursday. He works very well. Sir Michael is bringing him very gradually. A month ago you certainly wouldn't think about any Derby, but he's starting to hit the right note now.

"Our horse will stay very well and whatever he does in the Dante he'll improve a lot for. I wouldn't worry about him getting beaten in the Dante because it's his first run of the season and Sir Michael's are not yet firing on all cylinders.

"He will be a decent horse – whether he comes right for the Derby I don't know – but he'll be a good horse later."

The last horse to complete the Dante-Derby double was Golden Horn in 2015 and before that Authorized in 2007.

Cazoo Derby (4.30 Epsom, June 4)

Paddy Power: 6 Luxembourg, 7 Changingoftheguard, Walk Of Stars, Piz Badile, 8 Desert Crown, 10 Star Of India, 12 Stone Age, 14 Eydon, New London, Casg, 16 Point Lonsdale, Westover, 25 bar

Cazoo Derby (4.30 Epsom, June 4): big-race entries and betting

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