Late decision on Kingston Hill’s Coral-Eclipse bid
Published:Kingston Hill, a 7/1 shot with the sponsors for the Coral-Eclipse, will be left in at the final declaration stage for the Group 1 contest in the hope that the forecast rain hits the Esher venue.
Trainer Roger Varian pulled the colt out of the Irish Derby after the ground was deemed to quick, but is keen to let him take his chance in the big race on Saturday, July 5th, given suitable underfoot conditions.
As much as 5mm of rain could fall at the track on Friday, with the going currently described as good on the round course, and good, good to soft in places on the sprint track.
If the rain does arrive, then Kingston Hill would add further spice to an already mouthwatering contest.
The son of Mastercraftsmen went down by just 1 1/4 lengths to Australia in the Investec Derby at Epsom, and that form has been franked by the winner going on to land the Irish equivalent with consumate ease.
In what could be a vintage crop of three-year-olds, Kingston Hill’s participation could provide a good guide to how they actually rate in comparison to their elders as The Fugue sets a high standard in the line-up.
The John Gosden trained five-year-old put in a scintillating performance when beating Magician and Treve in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and is undoubtedly one of the best mare’s in training.
The daughter of Dansili is Coral’s 2/1 favourite for the Eclipse, and is officially rated 3lb higher than Kingston Hill.
Another trainer hoping that the rains materialise is Andrew Balding.
The Kingsclere handler is keen to let the much improved Tullius (25/1) take his chance and prove his effectiveness over the 1m 2f trip.
The six-year-old has put togther a string of smart peformances in mile contests this season, winning the Group 2 bet365 Mile at Sandown in the spring before going on to finish runner-up in the Lockinge and fourth in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
