2019 Coral Eclipse tip and preview by Dave Stevos
2019 Coral Eclipse Tip and Preview by Dave Stevos
The Irish Derby produced a long priced winner, but unfortunately it wasn’t Rakan. Sovereign, only entered so there would be 8 runners for each way punters (allegedly) was given an easy lead and never came back. Padraig Beggy gave him a peach and added an Irish Derby win to his CV. The big race this weekend is the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. Enable is the star attraction, but it is far from a one horse race. Dave Stevos has had his head in the formbook, check out his 2019 Coral Eclipse tip below…
2019 Coral Eclipse Tip and Preview
In 2018 Roaring Lion and Saxon Warrior produced an epic battle in the searing heat at Sandown. The John Gosden charge came out on top last year and both he and O’Brien will have the leading fancies for the 2019 renewal. Enable is a short price to make a belated winning reappearance. Magical looks to be her biggest threat, though Regal Reality and Telecaster are no mugs either.
Trip A Concern For Enable
Given that she is unbeaten since May 2017, it is perhaps surprising that Enable is as big as 10/11 for this. She won first time up last year, but that was a much weaker race than she reappears in this time. She was last sighted in the Breeders’ Cup, holding off a late surge from today’s rival Magical. The daughter of Nathaniel is likely to be targeted at the Arc again this term, so this race is not the top priority for her. The drop back in trip from 12f to 10f is a slight worry too.
She hasn’t run over this short since her seasonal comeback in April 2017 at Newbury. It was the last time she didn’t win a race, finishing 3L behind Shutter Speed in 3rd. She hasn’t looked back since then, winning nine races in a row (including 7 Group 1s) at 11.5f and 12f. There is no doubt that Enable is the best 12f horse in this race, and her quality might see her through. The trip has to be a worry though, and for that reason I think she is best watched.
Could It Be Magic?
Next best in the betting at 4/1 is another filly, the Aidan O’Brien trained Magical. This daughter of Galileo came unstuck in her search for a four timer at Royal Ascot. However, the soft ground didn’t help her cause and the return to good to firm will really suit. She was less than a length behind Enable when they met on good ground in America, and over 10f she could exact sweet revenge.
Magical is unbeaten over 10f when there has been good in the ground description. She hacked up by 7L from Flag Of Honour on her last run on good to firm over the trip and she should have her optimum conditions at Sandown. She is no forlorn hope and she could put it right up to the odds on favourite, though odds of 4/1 aren’t that appealing from a betting perspective.
Telecaster Must Bounce Back
I fancied Telecaster for the Epsom Derby but he ran no sort of race. Whether it was the trip, the occasion or the race came too soon after his York win is up for debate, but whatever the reason he produced nothing like his best. The son of New Approach is clearly better than he showed at Epsom. Hughie Morrison has given him a nice break and he could easily outrun his odds of 16/1.
Regal Reality won nicely for us at Sandown last time and he is on the improve. Michael Stoute is known for his exploits with older horses and his patience is nearly always rewarded. 10 furlongs on quick ground plays to this horse’s strengths and the son of Intello will be steered by top class Aussie pilot Kerrin McEvoy. He cannot be discounted and if they go too quick in front he could be the one to pick up the pieces.
Mustashry Needs To Rediscover Lockinge Form
Michael Stoute is double handed and Mustashry was massively impressive in the Lockinge in May. He travelled like a dream and beat a good yardstick in Laurens easily. However, he didn’t look anywhere near as good last time at Ascot and he needs to get back to the form of that Newbury win if he is to make any impact here. The fact he carries so much weight is no help either.
Zabeel Prince is closely matched on form with Mustashry but Roger Varian’s 6yo flopped at Ascot last time. He is prone to throwing in the odds shocker though and it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise were he to bounce back to form. However, even his best form leaves him with a bit to find here. Of the remainder, Dancetaria could be one to run well at massive odds. David Menusier is a shrewd handler and he doesn’t usually tilt at windmills.
Course Form
This son of Redoute’s Choice has won two of his last three, a Listed race and a Group 3 over in France. In between he was 3rd, 7L behind Regal Reality, here on good ground but a slow start didn’t help him that day. He has winning course form in the book over shorter and he should be fine on good to firm ground. The faster they go early, the better it will suit this hold up sort and he should be staying on at the finish. At odds of 50/1 he could give each way players a run for their money.
If she turns up in tip top shape, Enable is the one they have to beat. She is the class horse in the race but at the prices and over 10f she could be worth taking on. 3yos have won 3 of the last 4 runnings of the Eclipse and for that reason, Telecaster is the pick. He gets 7lb from the fillies and 10lb from the boys and if he runs to his mark of 115, he should bang there on the figures. At odds of 16/1 Telecaster is the each way pick.
