Eagle can come out on Top in Aston Park Stakes
David Metcalf | May 13, 2016
Eagle Top an Aston Park ace
Eagle Top is a class act and looks a worthy favourite to make a winning return to action in the Group 3 Aston Park Stakes at Newbury (14:45).
The John Gosden trained five-year-old ran out the impressive winner of the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2014, and was then far from disgraced when fourth to Oaks winner Taghrooda in the Group 1 King George at the same venue.
Although Eagle Top failed to get his head in front last season, the son of Pivotal did post some really solid efforts at the highest level.
They included a cracking second to Postponed in the King George, where Eagle Top went down by just a nose in a driving finish.
King George form stands out
The pair pulled 3 1/4 length clear of the third home, and the form stands out like a sore thumb in this lower grade affair.
It’s fair to say that Eagle Top ran well below par in his final two starts last year but, off an official rating of 120, he has 8lb and upwards on his rivals in this 1m 4f contest.
That is going to make Eagle Top very hard to beat, if running to anywhere near his best and, with Frankie Dettori in the saddle, this looks a glorious opening for him to get back on the scoresheet.
Carnachy not to be underestimated
If Eagle Top fails to live up to expectations, then Carnachy looks the obvious one to take advantage.
The David Simcock trained filly opened her account in good style on soft ground at this venue last summer and has shown rapid improvement since, completing a hat-trick when landing a Listed contest at Goodwood on seasonal reappearance last month.
Carnachy stayed on strongly to beat the highly regarded Bateel by 1 1/2 lengths, and there was lots to like about they way she went about her business.
The four-year-old is clearly going the right way and her ability to handle cut in the ground is a big plus.
Carnachy also has the services of Ryan Moore in the saddle and receives a handy 3lb sex allowance from Eagle Top.
However, even taking that into account, the daughter of Mastercraftsman has 16lb to find with that rival and on all known form Carnachy will need Eagle Top to seriously under-perform to land the spoils.
Related
You’ll find more race previews on our Newbury page.
Coral’s top top: Eagle Top looks a cut-above his rivals and rates a rock solid bet to make a winning return to action. Carnachy can chase him home for the forecast.
