15:35 Sandown

Saturday 6 July 2024

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1216:47

Coral-Eclipse (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 2m 9.80s

(7)

Al Riffa^p1²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 112| BF

11/1

Group 1 winner on heavy ground as a 2-y-o. Lightly raced since but his close fourth in the Ganay at Longchamp (10.5f, soft) on his reappearance in April shows he can still mix it at the highest level. Well held on a much firmer surface in the US since. Any easing of the ground in his favour.

Form: 11/22-46

(3)

Hans Andersen¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 102

80/1

Very useful in his own right but presumably in here to ensure a good pace for City of Troy.

Form: 80-1569

(8)

City Of Troy³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 124| BF

1/4

Looked top notch in an unbeaten 2-y-o campaign and reaffirmed those impressions when bouncing back from his flop in the 2000 Guineas to run out a convincing winner of the Derby at Epsom. Likely capable of even better and can't be opposed.

Form: 111-91

(6)

Dancing Gemini³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: K Shoemark| T: R A Teal| OR: 113

11/1

Listed winner at 2 and confirmed himself a smart performer when ½-length second of 13 to Metropolitan in the French 2000 Guineas on his reappearance. Respectable 8¼ lengths sixth of 16 to City of Troy in Derby at Epsom (1½m, good to soft) 35 days ago. Should be as effective at 1¼m. Place claims.

Form: 5115-26

(1)

Ghostwriter³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R Kingscote| T: C G Cox| OR: 112

12/1

Won all 3 starts at 2, notably the Group 2 Royal Lodge at Newmarket (good to firm) in the autumn. Has shown he's trained on well with fourth-placed finishes in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and French Derby at Chantilly (1¼m, soft) in recent months. Should be involved in battle for minor honours.

Form: 111-44

(4)

See The Fire¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 109

28/1

Progressive and useful juvenile. Bounced back from a heavy defeat in the 1000 Guineas on reappearance when good 3¾ lengths fifth of 9 to Porta Fortuna in Coronation at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) 15 days ago. Will stay 1¼m but will need to improve significantly for it to push City of Troy.

Form: 123-05

Non-Runners

(2)

Stay Alert⁷

Weight: 9-6| Age: 5

T: H Morrison J: D Egan

(5)

Jayarebe¹⁶

Weight: 8-13| Age: 3

T: B J Meehan J: S M Levey

Forecasts

City Of Troy (1/4), Al Riffa (11/1), Dancing Gemini (11/1), Ghostwriter (12/1), Jayarebe (16/1), See The Fire (28/1), Stay Alert (66/1), Hans Andersen (80/1)

An Eclipse which revolves around CITY OF TROY, who will surely have too much for these rivals if in anything like the same form as when leaving Ambiente Friendly and Los Angeles (third and first in last weekend's Irish Derby) trailing in his wake at Epsom. Bar a forgivable blip at Chester, recent Royal Ascot winner Jayarebe has a progressive profile and might be the one to chase Aidan O'Brien's colt home.