Connections of Tajaaweed have been quick to allay fears the colt may be a doubt for the Vodafone Derby at Epsom.

Rumours had been circulating that Sir Michael Stoute's Dee Stakes hero had suffered a setback, but Angus Gold, racing manager for owner Hamdan Al Maktoum, is confident the son of Dynaformer will still line up in Saturday's Classic.

He said: "All that has happened is that when the stable staff went to feed him last night they had noticed he had lost a shoe.

"As a precaution they have decided to leave him alone with the shoe off today and providing all is well with him, they will put one back on tomorrow morning.

"He did not get out of the box and he is not lame anyway so providing there are no problems tomorrow when they put the shoe back on, he should be ready to rock and roll."

Winner of two of his three starts, Tajaaweed is as short as 11-2 in places for the Derby.

Earlier, jockey Richard Hills had talked up the chances of Tajaaweed and believes Stoute's charge offers him his best chance yet of a Derby winner.

Third on Aqaleem 12 months ago, Hills came closest to breaking his duck in the world's most famous Flat race when second on Sakhee back in 2000.

Saturday will be his 14th ride in the race and Hills believes a success is well overdue.

He told At The Races: "I've been knocking on the door and my brother Michael has won it so I think it's about time I won.

"I think this year is as good a chance as I've ever had of winning the race so let's hope the luck is with me."

Hills was impressed with Tajaaweed's Dee Stakes success and believes he has all the attributes that a serious Derby contender needs.

He continued: "I had ridden him before Chester and when Sir Michael Stoute indicated we were going there I thought it would be tough for such a big horse.

"However, he handled it exceptionally well, travelled great and showed a nice turn of foot so I think we all learned a lot that day. I think he did as well.

"Around Epsom you need a horse that can travel at a good cruising speed and this horse can do that."

Hills admits there are a number of dangers to his mount, but is particularly respectful of New Approach.

He said: "I think it is going to turn out to be a very good Derby. Curtain Call is from a stable that has had Derby winners and Luca Cumani knows what he is talking about so you have to think he has a good chance.

"However, Group One form is the best form you can get and New Approach has been placed in two Guineas. If he stays, you have to give him an enormous amount of respect."

Epsom clerk of the course Andrew Cooper believes the worst of the rain has now passed and is expecting a largely dry week in the build-up to the Derby meeting.

Cooper said: "We have had 10 millimetres of rain overnight and earlier this morning and we are planning to change the going to soft, good to soft in places later this afternoon.

"It is still overcast at the moment and we are getting light drizzle, but it is forecast to move out to the east and we are not anticipating much more rain for later in the week.

"There is a chance we may get a shower or two, but nothing major and the ground at the moment is probably as soft as it is going to get."

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