Champion jockey discusses Sandown and Coral-Eclipse
It’s been a busy time recently but I have really enjoyed the nice weather. Tracks are very firm at the moment. I rode at Bath the other day and the ground was rock hard.
You really need a horse which acts on firm going. I am really looking to tomorrow as the Eclipse is a special race and I still think back to last year with great fondness as I rode Ulysses to success.
I don’t think I will be winning it this time around but I am still very happy to be involved.
It was such an important race last year as I think it set me up for the rest of the season as Ulysses also went on to win the Juddmonte.
You don’t see many finishes like that in the Eclipse but hopefully this year’s will be just as exciting.
I rode him in this race last year over Battaash. He is in good form and he ran very well at Haydock last time.
I would not say he is an easy ride as he needs to be covered. Unfortunately he has been drawn in stall seven which isn’t a great draw.
I am sure punters will be pulling their hair out watching him. The best way to ride him is to find the best horse in the race, follow it through for as long as possible.
If things pan out right, he is more than good enough to win this.
He has a good each-way chance. He won this race two years ago. All of his best form has been with a bit of cut in the ground.
He does stay further though as he won over 1m2f on the all-weather at Chelmsford City recently. Providing the ground is not too fast, he will have a chance.
She should run well and is another one with an each-way chance. She was not at her best on her previous run at Ascot, however, she was carrying top weight.
In her two previous outings she was second and third in Group races therefore in Listed company, if she produces those performances, she is in with a shot.
It is a big ask for him to win the Eclipse, however, we have seen some big price winners of these big races this year. The top three in the betting all look strong.
If I could pick a ride in the race, I’d have to go with Masar. Roaring Lion just didn’t stay the Derby trip. Saxon Warrior has been a head-scratcher this year. Ryan Moore has obviously chosen to go out to New York instead of riding in this race.
The Belmont Derby is worth a huge amount of money now. Donnacha will be on board Saxon Warrior and you have to remember he has had a great year therefore if I was a punter, I would not read too much into that.
It is going to be a very interesting race. Outside the top three in the betting, I do think Forest Ranger will run a big race.
I expect him to run a big race. Last season he was second behind Society Power who is a solid operator for William Haggas. He won last time out at Lingfield and hopefully he can build upon that.
He was disappointing last time but he has been running well. Brian’s horses are flying at the moment so much so, he could send out the stable cat and it would win.
Fingers crossed this horse can provide him with another winner.
