12 Jun 2019
Saturday’s Group 1 Eclipse represents the first significant clash of the generations, with the Classic crop of three-year-olds taking on older horses.
The 10-furlong event has been won in the past by great three-year-old such as Dancing Brave, Nashwan and Giant’s Causeway, although the last two Derby winners to drop back in trip and land the prize were Sea The Stars (2009) and Holden Horn (2015).
Only three horses from the Classic generation have been successful in the last 12 renewals. Last season, four-year-old Ulysses scored for trainer Sir Michael Stoute and jockey Jim Crowley.
We take a look at Saturday’s runners at the six-day declaration stage:
CLIFFS OF MOHER
One of five Aidan O’Brien-trained horses who will potentially run. He is out for redemption after finishing fourth in this race last year as the 7/4 favourite. He has yet to win at the top level and had two races in the space of three days at Royal Ascot two weeks ago, when well held in the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes (1m2f) and in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes (1m4f). It hardly seems like an ideal preparation for what looks a fairly strong renewal. His current Genting Bet odds are 12/1
FOREST RANGER
Trained by Richard Fahey, he is one of four horses who represent the older generation and is unbeaten in two starts this term, taking both the Group 3 Earl of Sefton at Newmarket (1m1f) and Group 2 Huxley Stakes (extended 1m2f) at Chester. Both races were run on good ground and it is likely to be rattling quick at Sandown. Odds: 14/1
HAWKBILL
The cream of the older horses and winner of this race in 2016, he was not at his best behind Poet’s Word here last time in the Group 2 Brigadier Gerard Stakes, having been bitterly disappointing in the Coronation Stakes at Epsom prior to that. If returning to the form that saw him win the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic in March, he would hold a big chance. However, he is happier on a softer surface and is a stablemate to Masar, who is very much the Godolphin first-string. Odds: 16/1
YUKATAN
Ridden more positively at the Curragh on Sunday in first-time blinkers and it revitalised him, as he took a Group 3 contest (1m2f). He has plenty to find with most of his rivals though, and it is no certainty that the headgear will work a second time. Odds: 25/1
MASAR
Ran out a hugely impressive winner of the Investec Derby at Epsom, reversing the form of the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas with Saxon Warrior. The latter-named did the form no favours with defeat in the Irish Derby last weekend, but trainer Charlie Appleby has no qualms in dropping Masar back to 10 furlongs, as he had the pace to win over 1m in the Craven Stakes. He is a worthy favourite. Odds: 5/4
RAYMOND TUSK
The least exposed of the field, having had only two runs for Richard Hannon. He chased home Masar’s stablemate Loxley in a novices’ race at Newmarket on his second start and while being pitched into the deep end, it must not be forgotten that the stable has won a Classic this season with a 66/1 shot, with Billesdon Brook taking the 1,000 Guineas. Odds: 40/1
ROARING LION
Has been a little unfortunate to come up against two outstanding colts in Saxon Warrior and Masar, edged out by the former in the Racing Post Trophy last season and beaten twice by Masar in the Craven and in the Derby. He perhaps found the 1m4f at Epson taxing his stamina and the way he landed York’s Dante Stakes suggests that this 10f is his ideal trip. John Gosden’s runner rates a big danger. Odds: 9/4
ROSTROPOVICH
Second in the Irish Derby last weekend and was previously beaten by the Appleby-trained Old Persian in the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot. He is not without place claims as he is hard as nails, but he goes up against specialists at this trip. Odds: 14/1
HAPPILY
O’Brien seems happy for the filly to taker her chance against the colts and does have a verdict over Masar on her CV, having beaten him in the Prix Jean-Luc Legardere as a juvenile. She was placed in both the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas, and was a little unlucky when third in the Prix Diane last time, when finding little room. She receives a 3lb allowance as she bids to become the first filly in 26 years to win the race since Kooyonga in 1992. Odds: 5/1
SAXON WARRIOR
A brilliant winner of the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas, but did not handle Epsom when beaten at odds-on in the Derby, and then did not appear to have any excuses when third in the Irish Derby last weekend. It is likely he will run instead in the Juddmonte International at York. However, if he lines up here, he rates as the value at current odds, particularly when he was thought of as a potential Triple Crown winner after his Newmarket Classic success. Odds: 7/1
Check out all the latest odds for Tuesday’s action and remember, Genting Bet offer Best Odds Guaranteed on all UK and Irish racing daily from 12.00pm
