Kingston Hill to hit heights in Eclipse
FANS of KINGSTON HILL (Sandown, 3.50) may have to be patient before their favourite is confirmed for this afternoon’s Coral-Eclipse, but he is worth supporting if receiving the green light.
Trainer Roger Varian was prepared to withdraw the Epsom Derby runner-up at the eleventh hour from the Irish version last weekend and it maybe a similar scenario i f the forecast rain doesn’t arrive at the Esher venue.
Hopefully, the forecasters will prove accurate and the son of Mastercraftsman will be allowed to take his chance as his claims look attractive, even if regular pilot Andrea Atzeni has been claimed to ride at Haydock.
Frankie Dettori isn’t a bad substitute and he gets on board a horse that ran a blinder at Epsom given an awkward draw and the petrol Atzeni needed to use just to maintain a position in the early stages.
Today’s trip should be a perfect test f or Kingston Hill who remains largely unexposed and arguably better suited to ten furlongs than one or two of his more fancied rivals like Verrazano and Night Of Thunder who have their stamina to prove.
I would worry for both if there was significant rain, while The Fugue is a top-class filly on fast ground but not so imposing if conditions ease.
She was exhilarating at Royal Ascot when winning in a track record time, but that monstrous performance was just 17 days ago and may have left its mark on a filly who was last of seven in this event 12 months ago.
Atzeni may be missing a plum ride in a Group One at Sandown, but he has decent hopes of landing a nice prize in the north west courtesy of DE RIGUEUR (Hayock, nap, 3.30) in the Bet365 Old Newton Cup.
The six-year-old is two from two at the track and did remarkably well to score at Newmarket last time. He is drawn wide, but a number of winners in the past decade have overcome a high stall and the recent rain will play to his strengths.