FIRST we yearn for a classic Eclipse, then most of us just pray England don’t get eclipsed.
Some Saturday of racing and football sport ahead, folks, and it’s fair to say regular nail-biters might not have too much left to munch on by mid-evening.
At Sandown, quick conditions give hope to a Derby hero that he can take down another former Derby winner in the feature Coral Eclipse.
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The vast majority will see the Group 1 showpiece as the golden opportunity for Epsom victor City of Troy to rubber stamp his name as a colossus of the turf.
But seven rivals take him on – more than most thought – in the mile and a quarter showdown live on ITV, and while City of Troy is long odds on there are plenty of eachway possibilities to the sizzling market leader.
My Saturday NAP
GHOSTWRITER ew (3.35 Sandown)
This massively talented juvenile can confirm that promise back on better ground and come best of the rest behind City Of Troy.
They include Ghostwriter, who carries the Chief Sing/Lochsong/Persian Punch silks of Jeff Smith, is trained by Clive Cox and ridden by Richard Kingscote, who landed the Derby in 2022 on Desert Crown.
Ghostwriter was a talented juvenile, being unbeaten in three starts and taking the Group 2 Royal Lodge in style at Newmarket.
He returned this season with a staying on fourth – miles in front of City of Troy who flopped big time – and repeated that position in the French Derby landed by Look de Vega.
On that occasion Ghostwriter travelled well and looked sure to pick up strongly when out in the clear, but he actually only ran on at one pace.
Kingscote believes there is a reason for that. The jockey told me: “I thought in France ten furlongs was a very nice fit for him and he travelled really well.
“He was relaxed with the step up in trip but he wasn’t keen in any way and the first part of the race was nice and smooth.
“I felt when I got out I would have found more, so that was a little disappointing, but it was near heavy ground that day and we are looking forward to getting him on a sound surface so Sandown should be great.”
Kingscote added: “I’m looking forward to riding him. I sat on him about ten days ago and he did a nice piece of work and he looks great. He’s a horse we really like but an Eclipse is a big deal.”
City of Troy has long been the apple of trainer Aidan O’Brien’s eye as well as the Coolmore team – Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith – that own him.
He was devastating in the Group 1 Dewhurst as a juvenile but the wheels fell off in the 2000 Guineas when O’Brien humbly blamed himself, in terms of the preparation, for the defeat.
The son of Justify then justified all the hype with a devastating Derby success over Ambiente Friendly and the Irish Derby victor Los Angeles.
O’Brien felt City of Troy was still green then.
He said: “We felt at Epsom he was very green and babyish and it was the first time he was dropped in behind horses.
“Dropping in trip is not a concern. We never thought he would have any problem going any trip from a mile to a mile and half.
“You would have to have expected that. He had never been dropped in.
“Every Eclipse is important, although I’d say the one we won with Giant’s Causeway was very exciting, and we are very hppy with City of Troy.
“What happens after Sandown will depend how he does. But the plan at the moment is for Auguste Rodin (the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and 2023 Derby winner) to head for the King George at Ascot.”
Of the others, the biggest cheer might go up for Kieran Shoemark should he get Dancing Gemini home for Roger Teal.
Many are willing Shoemark to show everyone what he can clearly do after frustrations this term with Inspiral and Emily Upjohn.
Teal is a popular guy and is best known for his July Cup success with Oxted.
Dancing Gemini was a fine second in the French 2000 Guineas and was sixth to City of Troy at Epsom when the distance just stretched his stamina.
Of course I expect City of Troy to win. And I hope England defeat Switzerland.
Odds suggest the former is much more likely to happen.
The beauty of sport is that while we all think we have the answers. It’s on the track and field, though, that the battles are fought. Bring it on…
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