Racing: Adair entered for the Derby

THE EX-AMERICAN colt Adair is to be entered in the Derby, Godolphin confirmed yesterday. Sheikh Mohammed's organisation already have the Kentucky Derby hope Aljabr in the Epsom Classic, for which there were 143 acceptors after the first forfeit stage yesterday.

Adair was bought privately to join the Dubai-based team after an 11-length win on his debut at Belmont Park in New York last October.

Simon Crisford, Godolphin's racing manager, said: "Adair is not entered in the Derby at present, but it is our intention to enter him at the next entry stage in April. Judged on what we have seen he is a very promising colt and we hope he will make up into a really useful middle-distance prospect. He has had only one run so far and we will need more evidence before he becomes a real live Derby prospect."

Adair is the 12-1 second favourite for the Classic, behind Commander Collins at 10-1. Crisford added: "The other Godolphin horses for the Derby at the moment are Dubai Millennium, Mukhalif, Mutafaweq and Rhagaas. They are all lightly-raced, unexposed horses who should be suited by a mile and a half."

The trainer Aidan O'Brien has left 18 in the race, including Orpen, Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky and Genghis Khan - an unraced half-brother to Generous, the 1991 Derby winner.

Godolphin are responsible for 19 of the 110 entries in the Oaks, with their Saytarra entered for both the Oaks and the Derby.

DERBY: William Hill: 10-1 Commander Collins, 12-1 Adair, 16-1 Aljabr, Dubai Millennium, Rhagaas, 20-1 others.