Key events
CONSTITUTION RIVER 5-2 FOR YORK AFTER EASY ECLIPSE SUCCESS
Constitution River, the 8-11 favourite, established himself as the clear leader of the three-year-old generation and potentially one of the best middle-distance performers of recent years with a decisive three-length success in the Eclipse Stakes here on Saturday, in a race where the leading four-year-old contenders, Gethin and Saddadd, finished well beaten.
Ryan Moore, Constitution River’s jockey, briefly seemed to be caught in a pocket inside the final two furlongs as the pacemakers started to come back to the field, but when he switched to his left and asked for a finishing kicking, Constitution River’s response was immediate and emphatic.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained favourite led home a 1-2-3 for the Classic generation, as Donnacha O’Brien’s A Boy Named Susie, fourth behind Constitution River in the French Derby last time out, came through to finish second, with Hawk Mountain, a stable companion of the winner, back in third.
“We’re over the moon with him, we’ve always thought the world of him,” O’Brien said afterwards. “The lads [in the Coolmore Stud syndicate that owns Constitution River] will decide what happens with him, but he’ll have no problem dropping back to a mile, staying at a mile-and-a-quarter or going up to a mile-and-a-half.
“I asked Ryan and he said you can go wherever you want, he doesn’t think he’s ridden a better horse. He’s heavier today than he’s ever been and Ryan said he had to move a little bit earlier than he wanted.”
Quick GuideGreg Wood’s Sunday tips
Show
Market Rasen: 1.50 Gone In Sixty 2.20 Way Maker 2.50 Crown Of India 3.25 Copper Beach 4.00 Regal Renaissance 4.35 Ballydisco 5.10 Masterius.
Southwell: 2.02 Kalokalo 2.32 Vitalline 3.05 Noble Guest 3.40 Clementines Star 4.15 Tropical Storm 4.50 John Galt 5.25 Club Class 5.55 Sax Appeal.
Ayr: 2.11 Our Absent Friends 2.41 Conciliate 3.15 Thyer (nap) 3.50 Langholm 4.25 Mr Withington 5.00 Hale End (nb) 5.35 Ramon Di Loria.
Constitution River is now unbeaten in three races this season including two Group Ones, and has a wide range of options for his next trip to the track.
The son of Wootton Bassett has entries in the Sussex Stakes over a mile at Goodwood later this month, the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes over a mile-and-a-half at Ascot on 25 July, and two Group Ones over the Eclipse trip of 10 furlongs: the International Stakes at York in mid-August and the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in September.
Looking further ahead, he is also entered in the European season’s showpiece event, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, at Longchamp in October.
Should O’Brien and Constitution River’s connections opt to send him to York, it could set up a fascinating head-to-head with Ombudsman, the winner of last month’s Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Paddy Power cut Constitution River to 5-2 for that contest after his impressive win on Saturday, with Ombudsman favourite at evens.
Aidan O’Brien was keeping all the options open in the winner’s enclosure afterwards.
We always thought the world of him. We feel he’s a very special horse. He’s no problem staying at a mile-and-a-quarter, he’s no problem going back to a mile, and he’s no problem going up to a mile-and-a-half.
I asked Ryan, he said you can go wherever you want, and he said he doesn’t think he’s ever ridden a better horse.
The winning margin was three lengths, and the obvious question now is: where next?
Constitution River current holds an entry in five Group One events at distances ranging from a mile – the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in just under four weeks’ time – to a mile-and-a-half (the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot later this month and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October).
His entries over today’s trip of 10 furlongs, though, may hold the most appeal, and the possibility of a head-to-head with Ombudsman, the Prince of Wales’s Stakes winner at Royal Ascot, in the International Stakes at York next month is particularly tantalising.
That’s a record-extending 10th win in the Eclipse for Aidan O’Brien, by the way, and his fifth win in the last six years.
What a performance from the favourite! For a brief moment just under two furlongs out, Ryan Moore seemed to be caught in a pocket, but he shifted left, unleashed Constitution River’s finishing kick and the race was all over with half a furlong still to run.
If there were any lingering doubts that Constitution River is the clear leader of the three-year-old generation, you may consider them removed.
CONSTITUTION RIVER RUNS ECLIPSE RIVALS RAGGED
SANDOWN 3.35 RESULT: 1. CONSTITUTION RIVER 8-11 fav, 2. A Boy Named Susie.
A furious race for the lead … Flushing Meadows leads from Hawk Mountain, King’s Gambit close behind … Constitution River, Saddadd and Gethin all held up … Hawk Mountain now moving towards the lead, Constitution River needs running room … two out, Constitution River is in the clear … challenges on the outside.. he’s in front and clear, the punters are roaring him home … two lengths to the good, they won’t catch him … CONSTITUTION RIVER WINS THE ECLIPSE!
Off and running in the Eclipse Stakes …
Going behind and starting to load …
Constitution River has eased slightly in the betting, to 8-11 from 4-6, and there has been a bit of money for Gethin, down to 4-1 from 11-2. Saddadd is also a 4-1 shot and Hawk Mountain is friendless in the market, out to 11-1.
Off to post they go…
There was not much to be gleaned from the pre-race parade beyond the fact that all the runners looked magnificent in the bright July sunshine.
There was a bit of even-money around about Constitution River earlier on but he has been backed relentlessly over the last couple of hours and he is currently trading at 4-6.
Saddadd is next in on 9-2 with Gethin at 11-2 and Hawk Mountain is the only other runner at single-figure odds, at around 8-1.
A Boy Named Susie, who was fourth home behind Constitution River in the French Derby, is a 16-1 chance to give Donnacha O’Brien, Aidan’s younger son, a first win in this race and the other two runners – the likely pacemakers, King’s Gambit and Flushing Meadows – are any price you like.
Right, the Eclipse Stakes contenders are in the parade ring and it’s 10 minutes to post time for the feature event.
We’ve had a second-favourite and two well-backed market leaders going in so far here, and the punters will be on exceptionally good terms with themselves if Constitution River can add his name to the long and illustrious roll of honour for one of the sport’s showpiece events.
Ralph Beckett’s across-the-cards ITV double with Tattycoram and Secret Of Life, incidentally, worked out at a fraction under 19-1.
The big race is next up on the menu here at Sandown, but over at Newmarket, it’s time for the day’s most valuable handicap – the Old Newton Cup, another event that has been relocated from its familiar spot at Haydock. Klassleader is a raging hot favourite for what is usually a highly-competitive event, currently trading at around 6-5, but he is trained by one of the masters of the craft in William Haggas and his form is hard to knock, as he showed a fine turn of foot to run down a couple of live rivals who had got first run when successful on his return to action at York’s Dante meeting.
HAPPY BACKERS FIND SECRET OF LIFE
SANDOWN 3.00 RESULT: 1. SECRET OF LIFE 2-1 fav, 2. Silenciosa, 3. Estissa.
Off and running in the 3.00 Sandown … Secret Of Life leads, Silenciosa next with Sacred Ground fourth … they’re turning for home, Secret Of Life still leads, Act Of Kindness making some ground and Sacred Ground coming under a drive … Secret Of Life goes for home … opens a two-length lead … nothing is making any ground … she’s going to get there and it’s another to keep the favourite-backers happy!
The next race here at Sandown is a Listed event for three-year-old fillies over a mile. Secret Of Life, at 9-4, has just replaced Sacred Ground as the clear favourite to give Ralph Beckett a swift across-the-cards double, while Sacred Ground is a 5-2 shot for John & Thady Gosden and it is 13-2 bar the two.
I’ve got my fingers crossed for Secret Of Life …
A quick flip over to Newmarket, the temporary home of the Lancashire Oaks while Haydock’s ground staff try to get to grips with their going issues, and Ralph Beckett’s TATTYCORAM put up a splendid performance to land the Group Two contest by an impressive four-and-a-half lengths.
The four-year-old did not race again as a three-year-old after finishing only fifth in a 14-furlong handicap at Newmarket in August last year, but returned to action looking like a much-improved model when successful in a Listed race at Goodwood and has no backed up that impression in no uncertain terms.
Eclipse contender: Hawk Mountain
Age: 3. Career: 6 races, 4 wins. Group One wins: 1.
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Timeform rating: 116.
The second-string in O’Brien’s challenge according to jockey bookings, but the Group One-winning records of riders including Seamie Heffernan and today’s pilot, Wayne Lordan, are ample evidence that No.2 jockey at Ballydoyle is the best back-up slot in the game.
Hawk Mountain likes to race prominently, but Flushing Meadows looks like the appointed pacemaker in today’s field and last year’s Group One Futurity winner at Doncaster is a serious contender.
Hawk Mountain was just three-quarters of a length behind Constitution River in the French Derby at Chantilly, though admittedly today’s Eclipse favourite had more ground to cover from his wider draw.
Hawk Mountain should have an ideal pitch behind the pace-setters, though, and it would be no surprise to see him go close.
Roger Varian’s Indalo was a 4-1 chance overnight but solidly backed today to start at 5-2 and he got the job done under a fine ride by Ray Dawson. Trainer and jockey will team up with Saddadd in the big race.
INDALO’S LATE THRUST HITS THE BOOKIES
SANDOWN 2.25 RESULT: 1. INDALO 9-4 fav, 2. Hard Endeavour, 3. Ebt’s Guard.
Wow, picked the first two winners and they were the nap and next best … it’s only fair to point out that this is not, by any stretch of the imagination, normal service.
Off and running in the 2.25 at Sandown … Tribal Chief fell out of the stalls and appears to have lost all chance … Balmacara leads from Liberty Lane, Indalo is mid-division … turning in … three out … still Balmacara, Indalo launches a challenge on the outside … he’s getting up …. INDALO wins!
We’re on to the second race already, and they’re starting to load for the big handicap. Indalo is favourite at 5-2, with Tribal Chief at 4-1 and Classic at 13-2. Indalo is my nap pick for the day, though he is a little shorter than expected in the betting.
Eclipse contender: Saddadd
Age: 4. Career: 8 races, 4 wins. Group One wins: 0.
Trainer: Roger Varian. Timeform rating: 121.
Another late-developer and one with a course-and-distance win to his name, in the Gordon Richards Stakes here in April.
Old-timers like me can remember the brilliant Mtoto turning up at Sandown in July 1987 with a very similar profile and wearing the same yellow and black colours of Sheikh Ahmed al-Maktoum, and beating that year’s Derby winner, Reference Point, in one of the great Eclipses.
Saddadd has made somewhat steadier progress through the ranks, including wins in valuable handicaps at Newbury and over today’s course and distance last year, but looked very much at home in Group One company when making his debut at the highest level – behind another runner in the same colours, Almaqam – in the Tattersalls Gold Cup in May.
Eclipse contender: Gethin
Age: 4. Career: 6 races, 3 wins. Group One wins: 0.
Trainer: Owen Burrows. Timeform rating: 120p.
Owen Burrows’s four-year-old makes his Group One debut in today’s feature but fully deserves his chance at the highest level after a strong run into a close second behind Ombudsman – a Group One winner at Royal Ascot next time out – here in May.
That race has been a stepping-stone to Eclipse success for plenty of late-maturing four-year-olds in the past, and Burrows has a fine track record for giving such horses – including the Group One winners Hukum and Anmaat – the time they need. He has a few pounds to find with Constitution River on the ratings and has had one more start, but another big step forward is anticipated this afternoon.
The stands are packed here at Sandown for the biggest day of the track’s Flat season and there was a huge roar as Rumstar began his run towards the lead and it quickly became apparent that he was going to get there in time. A repeat of his win 12 months ago, while Asfoora never got involved after her slow start. These are the final weeks of her outstanding career before she retires to stud and it will be interesting to hear whether her connections will pursue their plan to run in the Nunthorpe at York next month, possibly with a trip to Goodwood in between.
RUMSTAR AT THE DOUBLE
SANDOWN 1.50 RESULT: 1. RUMSTAR 100-30, 2. Luna A Inbhir Nis, 3. Partisan Hero.
Off and running in the 1.50 at Sandown … Asfoora a bit slow to stride and held up at the rear … Leovanni and Luna A Inbhir Nis dispute the lead … Luna A Inbhir Nis goes on but here comes Rumstar down the outside … he’s gaining stride by stride … and gets there with a few strides to spare!
It is approaching post time here for the opening race. Asfoora is the 9-4 favourite, with Rumstar at 3-1 and Shagraan at 4-1. I fancy Rumstar for a repeat of his win 12 months ago, but this is a going to be a furious and hard-fought sprint down the middle of the track.
Away from the live action for a moment, Michael Bell has paid tribute to his 2005 Derby winner, Motivator, after his death at the age of 24.
Motivator was not only a Derby winner, but an unbeaten Derby winner following his easy success at Epsom, with Johnny Murtagh in the saddle, though he failed to add to his tally in three subsequent starts.
He was also owned by a syndicate – the Royal Ascot Racing Club – and had a long career at stud, including spells at the National Stud, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Royal Stud at Sandringham and later in France.
“I was very lucky to have him as part of my life and he obviously gave us many special days,” Bell said, “but one in particular.
“He was a very, very high-class horse and I think on Derby day he would have won a lot of Derbys. He was absolutely on his game that day and was very impressive – it would have taken a good Derby winner to beat him, I think.”
Eclipse contender: Constitution River
Age: 3. Career: 5 races, 4 wins. Group One wins: 1.
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Timeform rating: 124p.
The favourite for today’s big race has been beaten just once, on his first trip to the track, when he was short-headed in a hot maiden at Newmarket’s July meeting a year ago. He has since reeled off four wins, including a statement success in the Dee Stakes at Chester on his three-year-old debut in May where he routed his field by seven lengths. He then overcame the worst of the draw to land the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) at Chantilly, with Hawk Mountain three-quarters of a length away in second, while the Chester form – including a champion’s timefigure – was franked when the runner-up, Generic, won a Group Three at Royal Ascot last month. His form is all but flawless to date and after just five starts, he has room for further improvement too.
Preamble
Good afternoon from Sandown Park on the south-western fringe of London, where the Eclipse Stakes, the first Group One clash of the generations, is due off at 3.35.
I’ve often heard it said – generally by marketing folk with a chunky contract to “reimagine” the sport – that the Flat racing season lacks “narrative”. I beg to differ. The first couple of months are when we sift the wheat from the chaff in the Classic generation, Royal Ascot is a sumptuous chapter all to itself, and then we turn the page again, with the Eclipse marking the point when we start to compare the generations.
There are years, admittedly, when the narrative is more compelling than others, and races like the Eclipse and the King George – at Ascot later this month – lose much of their lustre without a decent three-year-old in the field.
But that has not been an issue for the Eclipse in recent years, with a succession of top-class three-year-olds – from the Aidan O’Brien yard, for the most part – landing the spoils, and another potential leader of the Classic generation, Constitution River, will set off as the hot favourite this afternoon.
The four-year-old generation could well have its say too, though, as Saddadd and Gethin are both classy, improving colts, while another O’Brien-trained three-year-old, Hawk Mountain, was within a length of Constitution River in the French Derby last time and is also in there with a shout.
The big-race run-up includes a Group Three sprint at 1.50 to open the card, with the ever-popular Australian-trained mare, Asfoora, in the line-up against last year’s winner, Rumstar, a hyper-competitive one-mile handicap at 2.20 and, over at Newmarket, an unexpected diversion of the Lancashire Oaks – another race that pits three-year-olds against older horses – from its traditional home at Haydock, where the track’s racing surface is undergoing major repairs.
Tips for the ITV Racing card are here, pen-pics and video form for the big-race contenders will be along presently, and the blog will be live until the Eclipse winner is back in its stable and there hopefully some indication of where the next step in their story will take them.
