 Expert - Bill Esdaile | |
|---|---|
| Bill Esdaile has worked in racing journalism in the United Kingdom for over 20 years. He began his working career at the Sporting Life back in 1995, and has since worked for the Racing Post, The Sportsman, and is currently racing editor of London-based City AM. He is a keen form student, and will bring a unique insight into the major European races. | |
Expert Column for Eclipse Stakes (S2-1) (Bill Esdaile)
S2-1 Eclipse Stakes
Sandown’s 1,990m Eclipse Stakes usually provides a chance to see the best middle distance 3YOs take on the older generation, but this year’s renewal is dominated by younger horses.
Aidan O’Brien has won this race seven times and in two of the last three years, and this year he runs G1 Derby Stakes winner CITY OF TROY. He returned this season with the tallest of reputations in the G1 2000 Guineas over 1,600m at Newmarket but failed to live up to expectations. However, as his trainer has done in the past, he brought CITY OF TROY back in peak condition to win the G1 Derby Stakes over 2,405m in convincing fashion. That form has been franked with the second and third going on to fight out the finish to the Irish Derby, which suggests O’Brien’s runner should take plenty of beating here.
DANCING GEMINI ran a good race to finish sixth behind CITY OF TROY in the G1 Derby Stakes on his last start. Before that, Roger Teal’s runner had run a close second in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains over 1,600m at ParisLongchamp. At Epsom the 2,405m trip looked to stretch his stamina and he faded into sixth at the finish. This drop back in trip should suit him and he could get closer to CITY OF TROY this time around.
Another 3YO that brings Classic form to the table is Clive Cox’s GHOSTWRITER. He reappeared with a solid fourth in the G1 2000 Guineas, when looking to get a bit outpaced. A step up in trip to 2,100m next time out in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly didn’t help him improve on fourth place, but he again ran a decent race. He looks a horse that will continue to improve with age, and he shouldn’t be written off over this stiff 1,990m.
JAYAREBE was an impressive winner of the Listed Feilden Stakes over 1,800m on his reappearance this season. He couldn’t back that up in the Listed Dee Stakes over 2,064m at Chester, but bounced back to win the G3 Hampton Court Stakes over 1,993m at Royal Ascot. That was an excellent performance to beat a classy rival.
AL RIFFA is one of only three older horses in the field. His best form from last year, when a close second to ACE IMPACT in the G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano over 2,000m at Deauville, would give him a chance but he needs to step up on what he’s shown so far this season.
SELECTIONS: 4. CITY OF TROY, 5. DANCING GEMINI, 6. GHOSTWRITER, 7. JAYAREBE & 1. AL RIFFA
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