York | Archive | 2007 | July | 6
From the archive, first published Friday 6th Jul 2007.
Authorized, who heralded his burgeoning ability at York in May when running away with the Dante Stakes, and who has since proved himself a top-notch performer by blitzing his rivals in the Derby, can continue on the crest of a wave in a not-to-be-missed clash of the generations at Sandown tomorrow.
The Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained three-year-old takes on elder rivals for the first time in his career in the £440,000 Coral-Eclipse Stakes and is expected to rule the roost once more under Frankie Dettori.
Impressive on Knavesmire and breathtaking at Epsom, Authorized returns to ten furlongs tomorrow, but the shorter distance than the one he tackled in the Derby should not inconvenience him, especially on the expected soft ground which suits him so well.
Several Derby winners, including Motivator, have tried and failed to land the Eclipse, but Authorized is difficult to oppose, despite the presence of strong opposition.
That includes four Aidan O'Brien raiders, spearheaded by George Washington, provided he is given the green light by his trainer, who remains concerned that conditions may not be ideal for his star performer.
A quirky horse, but brilliant on his day, George Washington,
winner of the 2,000 Guineas and the Queen Elizabeth ll Stakes, has returned from an aborted spell of stud to resume racing this season and finished a very creditable fourth - beaten only inches - in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.
Sure to be all the better for that comeback outing, George Washington ranks as a major contender here, but he needs to prove his ability to be at his best over this trip and on ground probably easier than ideal.
While O'Brien's other three runners also command the utmost respect, so too does Notnowcato, runner-up in this race last year, and a battling winner of the Juddmonte International at York in August.
He has looked as good, if not better, than ever this season and can not be ruled out of
proceedings. But whatever beats Authorized will surely need to produce a performance out of the top-drawer and, for me, this is one Dante and Derby winner who will follow-up in the Eclipse.
Also worth noting at Sandown is Reverence in the Laurent-Perrier Champagne Sprint Stakes. Trained by Eric Alston and the mount of Kevin Darley, Reverence proved a revelation last year,
winning the Nunthorpe Stakes at York and the Betfred Trophy at Haydock. Tomorrow sees his seasonal comeback on his favourite soft ground, and he is expected to return in triumphant fashion.
At Beverley, Bond Boy would be a popular winner in the £12,000 Hall Construction Handicap.
The evergreen ten-year-old, trained by Geoff Oldroyd and owned by Reg Bond, ran a blinder at Thirsk earlier this week when finishing second to the smart How's She Cuttin'. A reproduction of that form would give this confirmed mudlark a major chance tomorrow.
John Quinn's promising Know No Fear and the in-form Royal Flynn, trained by Michael Dods, are two others to note at Beverley.
Macorville, beaten a whisker by Juniper Girl in last Saturday's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle, bids for compensation in the £85,000 bet365 Old Newton Cup. If none the worse for his recent exertions, George Moore's mudlover will be hard to beat.
Dash To The Front is fancied to go well in the Lancashire
Oaks, while the nap vote is awarded to Fonthill Road in the Commhoist Conditions Stakes. A good third in Group 3 company at Newcastle last weekend, Richard Fahey's Ayr Gold Cup winner, promises to be hard to beat.
Racing selections
Sandown
2.05 Reverence, 2.35 Rio Riva, 3.15 Authorized, 3.45 Treat, 4.20 The Geezer, 4.55 Danehillsundance, 5.30 Ajaan.
Beverley
2.15 Alpen Adventure, 2.45 Know No Fear, 3.20 Bond Boy, 3.55 The Grey Berry, 4.25 Princess Kiotto, 5.00 Royal Flynn, 5.35 Staked A Claim.
Haydock
2.20 Rosbay, 2.50 Dash To The Front, 3.30 Macorville, 4.05 Fonthill Road (NAP), 4.35 Makshoof, 5-10 Observatory Star, 5.45 Campo Bueno.
Tomorrow's other meeting: Leicester, Nottingham (evening), Carlisle (evening).
Today's meetings: Beverley (evening), Haydock (evening), Sandown, Warwick, Wolverhampton.
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