RANGER OUT OF DERBY AND NOW SET FOR ASCOT

US ARMY RANGER, heavily backed ahead of Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh, is out of the race. The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt, runner-up in the Investec Derby, had been the 8-11 favourite with Coral after significant ante-post backing — supporting the view that he could reverse form with Dermot Weld’s Epsom winner Harzand. O’Brien (below) said: ‘His scope (lung and breathing examination) just wasn’t 100 per cent clean. It was a routine scope. It’s a big pity. He’ll have a little rest now and we’ll see where we go from there.’ The son of Galileo has an entry in the Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on Saturday week but that contest seems likely to come too soon. His next opportunity to run could be taking on older rivals in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 26. O’Brien, winner of the Irish Derby 11 times, is still responsible for half of the remaining 10 entries. His group is headed by Epsom third Idaho, now be ridden by Ryan Moore and promoted to 11-8 joint favourite with Harzand. The latter’s participation has not yet been confirmed by Weld, with a question mark hanging over the Aga Khan’s colt because of the treatment he has needed for the injured hoof which left his Epsom run hanging in the balance until the last minute. If his challenge is also scuppered, it would leave Ed Dunlop, trainer of the only British entry — Epsom sixth Red Verdon — increasingly optimistic that the 100,000 euros paid to supplement his colt could prove well spent. ÷ BOOKMAKERS are falling over themselves to offer special bets involving the topically named two-yearold Brexit, who runs in the 6.10 at Newbury. Paddy Power make it a 33-1 shot the filly wins and the country votes to stay in the EU. It is 100-1 that Brexit wins and the vote is to leave.