Dermot Weld’s Zawraq is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after X-rays revealed a fracture to his off-fore cannon bone.

The unbeaten colt was set to head to Epsom as a major contender for the Investec Derby, but was found to be lame earlier in the week and although initial X-rays and scans were inconclusive, he was not declared for the premier Classic.

Connections were hoping the injury was not serious, but Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, revealed the three-year-old is set to miss a large bulk of the campaign.

Gold said: “He was re-X-rayed over the weekend and they found a crack in his off-fore cannon bone. He’s had two screws put in it.

“He’s going to need three months recuperation. I can’t tell you how long it will take for the bone to heal, but there will be nothing happening in the short term, obviously.

“It’s disappointing, but better to find out this way than running down the hill at Epsom.”