Dr Massini to give Shaamit a check-up

Dr Massini is to take on last Saturday's Epsom Derby winner Shaamit in the Irish Derby at the Curragh on 30 June. Dr Massini, the ante-post favourite for Epsom until an injury ruled him out three days before the race, is back cantering and is expected to resume full work soon.

Yesterday his trainer Michael Stoute said: "He had a shoe back on Saturday morning, exercised Sunday and cantered this morning. The Curragh would have to be a possibility."

The colt climbed to favouritism after winning the Glasgow Stakes at York but was then found to be lame on his near-fore foot.

Stoute added: "Maybe he shouldn't have been favourite but he was well- backed for the race and it was disappointing for everyone involved when he couldn't run."

The Irish Derby, which in most years is at the mercy of a convincing Epsom winner, would be made even more competitive if the easy Oaks victor Lady Carla were to be supplemented. However, her trainer Henry Cecil could hardly be blamed should he instead opt for much easier pickings in the Irish Oaks.