PUNTERS GIVE KING THE CHOP

ENGLISH KING continues to drift at the head of the Derby betting – and Frankie Dettori’s mount could be dethroned as favourite by the Classic’s 4.55pm start time.

As short as 2-1 market leader before drawing the statistically unhelpful stall one on Thursday morning, the Ed Walker trainee was pushed out to 7-2 in the lists yesterday.

But punters are keen on Mogul (right) and Russian Emperor — two of Aidan O’brien’s six-strong challenge — who are now as short as 5-1 to give the Ballydoyle trainer a record eighth Derby triumph.

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said yesterday: “We think English King, given the ‘Frankie factor’, is very likely to go off favourite.

“But he is weak and the Aidan O’brien pair Mogul and Russian Emperor are strong.”

■ THE British Horseracing Authority has ruled that Leicester’s meeting on Tuesday will go ahead.

The decision to allow last Tuesday’s card to take place, when Leicester had been placed in coronavirus lockdown the previous evening, sparked controversy.

“The sport’s strict health screening and social distancing protocols continue to ensure that racecourses are amongst the most controlled of workplaces, and that local communities are not affected by behind-closeddoors fixtures,” said a

BHA spokesman.