DENZILLE Lane did it bravely at Beverley last night while Baron Spikey ran a blinder to be second at a nice price. I’m hoping POPLAR CLOSE confirms the immense promise of his last race in the opener at Beverley today (1.50). He ran as though he needs further so if they make plenty of use of him he should oblige. The other selection is slightly…
…speculative. TOOFI (Haydock 4.00) was a horse who really caught the eye as a three-year-old before his form tailed off. The ground at Haydock is a slight worry but Toofi does have gears and if he can shrug off a long absence he could be interesting.
PS I almost put this one in the double but Searanger is a nice juvenile who ran well on his debut and he could be competitive at Carlisle (6.35) tonight.
Hi Jason,
Good card at Haydock today, plus of course, one of my favourite races of the year. The Eclipse Stakes has been one of my favourite races ever since going to Sandown and seeing Busted, whom I had backed, cruise through to beat Great Nephew, Appiani, and his stable companion Fleet. I also backed a Murless filly in the 2 yo maiden, called Caergrle, who went on to win the 1969 1000 Guineas.Happy days!
Despite the small field, today’s renewal is still a fascinating contest. Although i hope to see Golden Horn win easily, I have a feeling that Cougar Mountain may claim second spot. I have underestimated The Grey Gatsby before, so I hope that i have got it right this time.
By the way, well done on your winning Doubles earlier in the week. Keep lucky!
Cheers!
This afternoon Golden Horn became the tenth Derby winner to triumph in the Eclipse Stakes in the same year as his Epsom win.
The first horse to do the double was Triple Crown winner Flying Fox in 1899. Since then champions such as Diamond Jubilee (another Triple Crown winner ),Lemberg (dh), Coronach, Blue Peter, Tulyar, Mill Reef, Nashwan, and Sea The Stars Have also added the Eclipse to their classic victory.
Make no mistake, today’s win was no walkover. Frankie Dettori elected to make the running on the favourite, and was shadowed by The Grey Gatsby all the way. Once into the notorious Sandown sraight The Grey Gatsby moved alongside to challenge between the three and two furlong markers. Indeed, the battling grey actually took a slight lead, and an upset looked more than a possibility. However Golden Horn is as game as he is fast, and with a bit of encouragement from his jockey he gradually forged clear to win with fairly comfortably. One was left thinking that there was a bit left in the tank.
For The Grey Gatsby it was an honourable defeat. Although yet to get his head in front where it matters this season, this will hopefully be rectified, possibly in the Juddmonte. It should not be forgotten that last year, in addition to his win in the French Derby, he also lowered the colours of Australia in the Irish Champion Stakes.
As well as being a very good Derby winner, Golden Horn proved today that he a well above average Eclipse winner. Provided all is well, he will next reappear at Ascot in the King George. He is odds on with the bookies to win there, and it is difficult at this stage to see what can trouble him. Victory in October at Longchamps in the Arc would be his crowning glory. He is not yet entered for the Arc, and it is my opinion that if heavy going were to prevail, Golden Horn would miss the race.
It is usually heavy at that time of the year at Ascot, so to me it is doubtful if he will go there. We shall just have to wait and see.
On to Newmarket next week.
Cheers!