Horse racing: Eclipse the Stars (From This Is Wiltshire)

Horse racing: Eclipse the Stars

9:50am Saturday 4th July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share

Irish raider Sea the Stars attempts to land another big pay day when he lines up in this afternoon’s Group 1 Coral Eclipse at Sandown.

Irish maestro Aidan O’Brien also attempts to lift the prestigious prize with Rip Van Winkle.

With stable jockey Johnny Murtagh under suspension, Jimmy Fortune comes in for the ride on Rip Van Winkle with former Manton trainer John Gosden’s jockey is relishing the opportunity of deputising for his weighing room colleague.

Derby winner Sea The Stars had the Aidan O’Brien colt well behind him at Epsom but, over a couple of furlongs shorter, the Ballydoyle team are hoping they can turn the tables.

Fortune said: “It’s obvious that Johnny likes the horse a lot because he rode him in the Derby even when there was a doubt about his stamina so he must have been showing up well at home.

“He probably didn’t stay at Epsom so a step back to a mile and a quarter should be in his favour.”

Sea The Stars missed out on the Irish Derby last weekend because of the ground and will be looking to add further to his two Classic wins with the drop in distance no obvious disadvantage.

Second favourite is likely to be the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Conduit, the mount of Ryan Moore and the talented four year old could have a pacemaker in the form of stable companion Lang Shining.

Frankie Dettori is set to ride Cima De Triomphe for Newmarket trainer Luca Cumani, while Henry Cecil, who last won the race 30 years ago with Gunner B, is set to be represented by 16/1 shot Twice Over.

Armchair racing fans will be in for a treat with the Channel 4 cameras screening the race live at 3.15, together with three other races.

This column’s selection for the Epsom Derby was Rip Van Winkle, so keeping faith with the three-year-old colt, he is the selection to get the better of Sea Of Stars on this occasion. The star-studded Sandown card gets underway at 2.05 with the Group 3 Coral Charge Sprint Stakes that could give Mick Kinane a great start to the meeting on board Judd Street for trainer Eve Johnson Houghton.

The one-mile Coral Challenge, a Heritage Handicap, could be won by Alfathaa, the mount of Richard Hills while the Listed race for Fillies run over a mile could go to Seradim, the mount of Tom Queally for trainer Paul Cole.

Other meetings are scheduled for Haydock where an each way selection in the first race on the card could be the Beckhampton-trained Brunston, the mount of Seb Sanders.

Feature race at the venue is the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks, where the Henry Cecil-trained Flame Of Gibralter could get in the prize money.

However the selection is for the Barry Hills trained High Heeled to land the spoils.

Leicester and Beverley provide the other afternoon action with evening meetings at Nottingham and Carlisle.

Best bet at Nottingham could prove to be Danny’s Choice in the two year old Maiden Stakes at 7.50pm.

• Print
• Email
• Share