The Queen’s Carlton House suffers setback ahead of Derby

Carlton House, owned by The Queen and favourite for Saturday’s Investec Derby at Epsom, has given his followers a fright with the news of a suspected joint problem.

Fortunately, X-rays taken this morning revealed no abnormalities as tensions build just four days before the world’s greatest Flat race.

John Warren, The Queen’s racing adviser, said: “Following a routine canter yesterday Carlton House was found to have a small amount of filling in his near-fore joint at evening stables last night. As a result, precautionary X-rays were taken this morning which revealed no abnormalities.

“We remain hopeful that he is on target for the Investec Derby on Saturday.”

Carlton House leapt to Derby favouritism following a pleasing win in the Dante Stakes, the most reliable of the Derby trials, at York earlier in the month. If he is able to win on Saturday, he will give The Queen a much-desired first win in the race.

The Derby will be shown at 4pm on BBC1 this Saturday. But before then, don’t miss Thursday’s H&H (2 June) for our brilliant Derby preview, including a profile of Carlton House

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