As my auld granny used to say, 'If you smell a rat, it's generally a rat'.

The defection of St Nicholas Abbey from the premier Classic yesterday had many punters reaching for rat poison as bookies again feathered their ante post nest with reams of shredded vouchers.

Fortunes were gambled on the Ballydoyle star after his Racing Post romp as punters sought another Sea The Stars to worship.

But sadly he proved a false god as St Nic succumbed to a slight injury and the dream of Epsom glory endeth yesterday morning.

There has been a pungent odour emanating from the Ballydoyle yard recently, and I don't mean the morning coffee.

Abbey failed to impress Johnny Murtagh in a work-out last Friday and the writing was on the wall.

Aidan O'Brien said yesterday: "St Nicholas Abbey was due to work first thing this morning, however when he came out of his box we noticed he was stiff behind. He had looked slightly stiff yesterday evening.

"His work on Friday last was a little lacklustre for him and that was the first time we had seen anything different, but he was fine afterwards.

"He was examined and scanned by our vets this morning and they found a slight muscle injury high up in his hind quarter. This meant he could not work today and we were advised to give him an easy few days.

"We always thought he could walk on water and it is very unfortunate for all concerned to have a setback like this so close to the big race."

Wiping tears from his eyes, David Williams of Ladbrokes said: "It's dreadful news for punters. They kept the faith all through the winter.

"We reckon at least £2million has been staked on St Nicholas Abbey since late last summer."

To all the shrewdies out there, if you managed to scuttle down the anchor chain and unload at big prices on Jan Vermeer, guid luck.

For the rest of us, it's back to the Derby drawing board.

Just watch Al Zir's price contract after news that Kieren Fallon has been given the ride on the Godolphin colt on Saturday.

Al Zir finished ninth in the Guineas and with Frankie Dettori riding Rewilding and Ahmed Ajtebi on the surprise supplementary entry Buzzword, the Racing Post Trophy third will have King Kieren's assistance in the saddle.

Ladbrokes: 7-4 Jan Vermeer, 6 Workforce, 7 Midas Touch, Bullet Train, Cape Blanco, 8 Rewilding, 14 Azmeel, 20 Coordinated Cut, 25 Al Zir, 33 bar Some decent handicaps to get your teeth into today and I'm hoping Mark Johnston's improving colt Submariner (6.50) will have the bookies diving for cover at Kempton.

Frankie's a master riding fromthe front and look for him stealing a lead as they swing for home.

Kellys Eye (7.40) did it nicely over course and distance last week and can follow up at Ripon at the expense of Stoute's Timeless Stride.

Tajneed (8.10) hasn't won for a wee while now but this looks a fair opening for the Nicholls beast.