Late drama as bang to a leg forces Masar out of the Eclipse

The eagerly awaited Derby rematch will be without the horse who won the Derby after Godolphin were dramatically forced to scratch Epsom hero Masar from the Coral-Eclipse on Friday evening.

Having spent much of the day treating Masar for what is thought to have been a bang to an off-fore leg sustained at morning exercise, Charlie Appleby and his team were left with no option but to abandon plans to send Masar back into battle with Derby third and fourth Roaring Lion and Saxon Warrior at Sandown.

Following the defection of Masar, who had been a best-priced 7-4 favourite to triumph for Sheikh Mohammed, Roaring Lion became the sponsor's Eclipse market leader at 13-8, with Saxon Warrior quoted at 9-4.

Eclipse card and betting

"It looks as though he has given himself a bang to his off-fore this morning," Appleby told the Racing Post on Friday night.

"It’s sore, and too sore for him to run. We reviewed it again this afternoon and the right decision, sadly, is not to run. Masar will remain under veterinary supervision for the time being.

"When a horse has inflammation you have to get rid of that before you can properly start investigating and carrying out scanning procedures."

Appleby added: "I spoke to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed about the situation and, as he said, we have to do what’s best and right for the horse.

"This is just one of those things. We now have to get him right and get him back, which is what we will do."

In Masar's absence William Buick replaces James Doyle on 2016 Eclipse victor Hawkbill, a 20-1 outsider in a field reduced to seven runners and therefore a much less attractive proposition for each-way betting purposes.

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com