Hataab has been ruled out of Saturday's Epsom Derby, it was announced yesterday. The Ed Dunlop-trained colt entered the Classic picture when winning the Michael Seely Memorial Glasgow Stakes at York last month.

However, the son of Woodman did not scope satisfactorily last week and bypassed an alternative target in the Prix du Jockey-Club at Chantilly last Sunday.

Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, explained: "Because he has had a hold-up he hasn't been able to have as much work as we'd like and Sheikh Hamdan feels that is not the right way to go into a Classic.

"We'll hang on with him and he'll be entered at Ascot - there is a 10-furlong race (Milcars New Stakes) on the Saturday for him."

Hataab had been as short as 20 to 1 for the race with Ladbrokes.

The going at Epsom remains good following a dry day at the Surrey track.

Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper reported: "Last evening we ended up having 9mm of rain between 3 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. but it has been dry since then and today has been sunny and dry.

"The penetrometer reading is 4.2 as opposed to 3.8 yesterday so the rain has had a bit of an effect.

"It is real good ground and one would hope that it will stay that way until Friday - it should not inconvenience anybody."

There are no plans to water the course before the Derby meeting starts on Friday and Cooper added: "The forecast for Friday is unsettled, with the potential for some heavy showers going into Saturday so we will just have to keep an eye on that."

On the ante-post betting front Coral make King's Best their clear 3 to 1 favourite from 100 to 30 for the race.

The Barking firm have also clipped the Aidan O'Brien-trained Aristotle to 4 to 1 from 9 to 2 while Sakhee is now a 7 to 1 chance from 8 to 1 with William Hill. John Oxx's Sinndar is a 9 to 1 chance with William Hill.