Sea The Stars, the Derby hero, was expected to make it a double in the Irish version last week but he didn't turn up, pulled out because the ground was not considered suitable.
Sea The Stars, the Derby hero, was expected to make it a double in the Irish version last week but he didn't turn up, pulled out because the ground was not considered suitable.
He is top of the bill again this weekend, odds-on favourite for the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, and this time he looks likely to give his many fans another memorable success.
Perhaps it is true that the old maxim that a top- class horse could win on any going is not operative any more but, maybe more significant is the modern trainers' reluctance to take a chance with a class act whose breeding value could be diminished by a defeat on ground less than ideal.
Either way, victory for Jon Oxx's Sea The Stars today will probably raise his status more than the Derby at the Curragh might have done. He tackles older horses this time, of course, and that in itself would normally mean this is a more difficult task. However, supporters of Fame and Glory, winner of the race at the Curragh, would argue that he has avoided a duel with a three-year-old who may even be better that he is.
What is for sure is that the 10-furlong trip today will suit the Oxx-trained horse as much and maybe more than the extra two furlongs of last week.
He is full of speed as well as stamina to win this but it is a fact that no Derby winner has lifted this prize since Nashwan in 1989.
That statistic will be familiar to fans of the Irish horse who became the first horse to achieve the 2000 Guineas-Derby double since the same predecessor, Nashwan.
From that, it should not be assumed that this a walk-over because that would do a serious disservice to Cima De Triomphe, Conduit , Twice Over and Rip Van Winkle, to name but four of his rivals.
Cima De Triomphe beat Conduit by a nose over this course and distance a few weeks ago and this ex-French horse, now with Luca Cumani, may be capable of much more.
Conduit was having his first race of the season, however, and it is reasonable to imagine that he will be fit enough this time to reverse that form. Even so, versatile as he is, to be equally adept at 10, as well as the 15 furlongs he covered to win the St Leger, would be remarkable.
Rip Van Winkle, whose reputation as a budding superstar has not yet been confirmed, will enjoy this trip rather than his experiences over 12 furlong in the Epsom and Irish Derbys.
He might well be the one to give his Irish compatriot the toughest challenge but, on all known form, Sea The Stars (3.15) has to be the choice.
Anglezarke, who finished third to Scenic Blast in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, must be a big player in the Coral Charge over five furlongs but it may be worth giving another chance to Ialysos (2.05), the ex-Greek horse now with Cumani. He beat Anglezarke at Haydock before flopping in the Golden Jubilee sprint at the Royal meeting, but may well return to form in this less demanding scenario.
Willow Dancer (2.40) did well enough on his first run over this course and distance to suggest he has a chance in the Coral Challenge, even if this Heritage Handicap is packed with potential winners.
At Haydock, Flame of Gibraltar, who was second to smart Godolphin filly Flying Cloud in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot, should go close in the Bet365 Lancashire Oaks, but could find High Heeled (2.55), third to Sariska in the Epsom Oaks, a tough one to pass.
Mark Johnston, who is in magnificent form, saddles two runners in the mile- and-a-half handicap. Quai D'Orsay may well be the right choice but, for me, bottom weight Becausewecan (2.20) has the edge.
Selections
Sandown 2.05 Ialysos
2.40 Willow Dancer
3.15 Sea The Stars
Haydock 2.20 Becausewecan 2.55 High Heeled
