Zawraq will miss the Derby at Epsom this Saturday after failing to recover from a minor setback suffered earlier this week.

The 7-1 shot was popular on the Ante post betting, but will take no part in the race after it was found that he was lame after work midweek.

Angus Gold, racing manager for owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: “It’s bad news. He did a bit of work this morning and moved beautifully under Pat Smullen, but by the time he got back to the yard he was definitely not right again. It’s very bad timing.”

Hopes were high in the Weld camp he would prove his fitness in time for Epsom and the colt completed some light exercise on Wednesday, fuelling optimism that he would run, but connections were forced to pull him out this morning.

Ireland still has a strong hand after Aidan O'Brien declared Giovanni Canaletto (Ryan Moore), Hans Holbein (Seamie Heffernan) and Kilimanjaro (Joseph O'Brien).

There are still doubts over whether second favourite Jack Hobbs will run but trainer John Gosden will inspect the ground before the race.

“I’ll walk the track on Saturday morning. The ground is perfect right now, but we’ll see what the weather does and whether they get a thunderstorm. I’m happy with all the horses” said Gosden this morning.

The eleven runners declared include favourite Golden Horn, 12-1 shot Hans Holbein and Storm the Stars at 25-1.

Full list of runners: Golden Horn, Jack Hobbs, Giovanni Canaletto, Elm Park, Hans Holbein, Success Days, Epicuris, Storm The Stars, Kilimanjaro, Moheet, Rogue Runner and Carbon Dating.