14:10 Sandown

Saturday 7 July 2018

All12:2012:5513:3014:1014:4515:2015:55

Coral-Eclipse (Group 1)

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 2m 4.04s

(8)

Cliffs Of Moher^t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 114| D

12/1

Runner-up in last year's Derby and fourth in this race last year but he's generally struggled when campaigned at Group 1 level. Wants a strong pace to aim at to be seen at his best and others make more appeal. Second string on jockey bookings.

Form: 8-51243

(3)

Forest Ranger⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 113| D

11/1

Progressing this season, following up a Group 3 success at Newmarket with a win in Group 2 company at Chester at the May meeting. That didn't look the strongest race for the grade however and he will need more up at this level.

Form: 2328-11

(5)

Hawkbill^b¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 120| CD

15/2

Won this in 2016 and won both starts in Meydan this winter, the latter an impressive Group 1 Sheema Classic win when able to dominate from the front. Hasn't managed to replicate that since returning to the UK though and unlikely to get a soft lead.

Form: 22-1153

(6)

Raymond Tusk¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Hannon

50/1

Impressive when winning at Newbury on debut but beaten in a Class 4 at Newmarket on only subsequent start and it would be a major surprise if he was up to this level on just his third start.

Form: 12

(7)

Roaring Lion³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 118| D

7/4

Ran well in the 2,000 Guineas despite racing away from the action and he was an impressive winner of the Dante, though hung left in the closing stages. Looked more straightforward when third in the Derby last time and drop back in trip will suit.

Form: 12-3513

(2)

Saxon Warrior⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 121| BF

9/4

Could hardly have been more impressive when winning the 2,000 Guineas but failed to justify favouritism in the Epsom Derby. Ran with credit in the Irish Derby last weekend in a messy race and no surprise to see him bounce back dropped in trip here.

Form: 111-143

(4)

Happily^t²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 112| BF

11/2

Dual Group 1 winner as a juvenile and placed in both 1,000 Guineas either side of the Irish Sea before a close fourth the French Oaks last time. Likely she retains all her ability but would probably prefer some softer ground to be seen at her best.

Form: 110-334

Non-Runners

(1)

Masar³⁵

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: C Appleby J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Masar (6/4), Roaring Lion (7/4), Saxon Warrior (9/4), Happily (11/2), Hawkbill (15/2), Forest Ranger (11/1), Cliffs Of Moher (12/1), Raymond Tusk (50/1)

It's hard to look past the three that met in the 2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby here. It's entirely possible that the drop back to this trip will suit SAXON WARRIOR best of all given the way he travelled through the Guineas and it's interesting that connections run him again so soon after his placed effort in the Irish Derby. Roaring Lion has failed to get the better of Masar in their three meetings this season but there were signs he's ironed out his quirks in the Epsom Derby last time and he showed plenty of speed over this trip in the Dante; with further improvement possible he may be able to get the better of the Derby winner here.