Henry Cecil's potential challenge for the Vodafone Derby has been reduced following the news that Bien Entendu will miss the Epsom contest on June 10.
The Henry Cecil-trained colt was due to gallop with stablemates and fellow Derby hopefuls Beat Hollow and Wellbeing during racing at Yarmouth tomorrow.
However Cecil is not completely happy with the three-year-old, who suffered from mucus on his lungs after making a winning debut at Newmarket in April.
Alan Cooper, racing manager to owners the Niarchos Family, explained: 'Mr Cecil advised us that he was not entirely satisfied by the scoping of Bien Entendu today and therefore he would not participate in the racecourse gallop at Yarmouth tomorrow.
'The fact that he won't be in the gallop tomorrow means he will not participate in the Derby.
'Plans will become clearer when Mr Cecil is satisfied with the horse's well-being.'
Bien Entendu had been a 33-1 chance for the Derby with William Hill.
A spokeswoman for Cecil's yard confirmed that Beat Hollow and Wellbeing would both still go to Yarmouth.
Sinndar has been given the go-ahead to tackle the Derby by John Oxx, who has withdrawn him from Sunday's Emirates Airlines Prix du Jockey-Club.
Chantilly had been a possible option for the colt as there were fears the going at Epsom six days later might prove too firm for him.
But his trainer has decided on a trip to England for Sinndar, who has been prominent in the Derby betting since his victory in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown earlier this month.
'We had to make up our minds as the two races are a week apart and there was no point in leaving him in the French Derby,' Oxx said.
'The going is on the soft side at Epsom now. It can change in a couple of days there but I am not worried about the ground unless it gets firm.
'He ran well giving weight away last time and he is in good form now.'
Hataab, winner of the Michael Seely Memorial Glasgow Stakes at York last time for trainer Ed Dunlop, has also been ruled out of the French Derby.
However, no decision has been made on his participation at Epsom.
Angus Gold, racing manager to the colt's owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: 'Hataab will not be running in the French Derby but the decision for Epsom will not be made until later.'
Sheikh Hamdan also has leading fancy Sakhee in the Epsom race.
Heavy recent rain has hit the Epsom area and the going is on the soft side ahead of the premier Classic.
But clerk of the course Andrew Cooper stressed that there was no need to panic over ground conditions for the big race.
'Epsom has had more rain than Sandown or Kempton but it has taken it very well,' he said.
'It is good to soft in the main, and softer than that in places, and the forecast is unsettled.
'But it only takes a couple of dry days to get back to real good ground.'
On the ante-post betting front Ladbrokes report 'significant' support for the Aidan O'Brien-trained Aristotle and have cut the colt to 6-1 from 7-1.
Ladbrokes spokesman Sean Boyce said: 'Even at 6s the money is still coming.'
Latest Vodafone Derby betting:
Ladbrokes: 3-1 King's Best, 6-1 Beat Hollow, Aristotle, 7-1 Sakhee, 9-1 Sinndar, Best Of The Bests, 10-1 Wellbeing, 16-1 Saddler's Quest, 20-1 Hataab, Kingsclere, Barathea Guest.
William Hill: 7-2 King's Best, 6-1 Aristotle, Beat Hollow, 7-1 Sakhee, 8-1 Best Of The Bests, 10-1 Sinndar, Wellbeing, 16-1 Kingsclere, 20-1 Barathea Guest, Saddler's Quest, 25-1 Bar.
