Horse Racing: The Derby favourite Refuse To Bend will undergo a final serious work-out ahead of Epsom on Friday morning.

The unbeaten colt hasn't run since landing the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas but his trainer Dermot Weld has drawn encouragement from Indian Haven's success in the Irish Guineas last weekend.

"I think it would have to be positive that the first and third at the Curragh were behind our horse at Newmarket.

"The Johnson Houghton horse (Tout Seul) is probably the key to it, fourth at Newmarket and third at the Curragh, so overall I am pleased with the way the form worked out," Weld said yesterday.

Despite the likelihood of a multiple challenge from Ballydoyle, and the presence of Alamshar from John Oxx's yard, Refuse To Bend is still likely to be the favourite to score a fourth successive Irish success in the Derby.

Yesterday Paddy Power bet: 5-2 Refuse To Bend, 4 Alamshar and Brian Boru, 12 Alberto Giacometti, 16 The Great Gatsby, Hold That Tiger and Lateen Sails, 20 Magestretti and Dutch Gold, 25 Bar.

Weld and stable jockey Pat Smullen will be on duty at the Curragh on Friday morning, however, and hoping for the same positive vibes Refuse To Bend showed before Newmarket.

"It will be his last major work-out before Epsom so it will be reasonably important. Provided he comes through it well, and sound, it will be a case of keeping him ticking over," said Weld, who has yet to win British racing's blue riband event.

The Curragh trainer also had news of his star stayers Media Puzzle and Vinnie Roe who will both miss out on Royal Ascot.

"Both are in good shape and coming along. One will probably run in the Curragh Cup but no firm decision has been taken yet," Weld reported.

Refuse To Bend's rider Pat Smullen, along with his double Derby winning colleagues Michael Kinane and Johnny Murtagh, are on duty at Fairyhouse this evening and all three will have an eye on avoiding attention from the stewards.

Any sort of ban picked up by the jockeys would rule them out of the Epsom Derby but Murtagh in particular should have a profitable session for the John Oxx team.

The former champion is on Alisar in the three-year-old auction race and the son of Entrepreneur has a six-length form advantage over Learn To Dance on Gowran running.

That was behind Tipperary All-Star who gave the form a massive boost with a defeat of Good Day Too and Multazem in last Sunday's Silver Stakes at the Curragh.

Murtagh is on the Sadler's Wells filly Canouan in the mile-and-a-half maiden and the hike up in trip from her runs at Navan and Leopardstown should be to the advantage of the 96-rated runner.

Twice Royal gets 6lb from Kinane's mount Charmed Forest in the two-year-old auction race which should swing things the way of the Cork runner-up.

Kinane, however, does look a significant booking for Neckar Valley in the 13-furlong handicap race.