Coral-Eclipse 2013

3.50 Sandown

Coral-Eclipse (British Champions Series) (Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £241,018

Advice: 2 pts The Fugue to beat Declaration Of War (13/8 888Sport), 1 pt Mars to beat Declaration of War (11/10 Hills)

Al Kazeem: Had career threatened by a hairline injury but has stormed back in fine style to become leading 10 furlong horse, winning Gordon Richards Stakes, Tattersalls Gold Cup, and Prince Of Wales’s Stakes this season, closing down front running Mukhadram in style, cutting down a three length gap in less than two furlongs and winning cosily in the end with big gap to the rest; Fine chance on that form is in same shape.

Declaration of War: Highly touted before he came to Ballydoyle, but big disappointment when only fifth in Lockinge (backed as if defeat was out of question); Made amends quickly for that when landing the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal with taking late burst; No surprise if there’s more to come from him but that form loos only ordinary for the top level and while he’s a 10 furlong winner, shapes much more like a sprinter.

Miblish: Improved this year, career best when fifth in Prince of Wales’s Stakes latest, but don’t expect him to reverse that form once again.

Mukhadaram: Imposing front runner who took his form to new heights when second in Prince of Wales’s Stakes latest, the beneficiary of a terrific front running ride from Paul Hanagan when pushing Al Kazeem to a neck; While he’s clearly thriving at late and is on a track that rewards frontrunners, hard to think he’ll get so much rope this time around and flattered by his previous form.

Pastorius: Ran no sort of race – worst of his career – in Singapore latest but that can be written off easily and exciting reappearance when winning the Prix Ganay on reappearance; Clearly a class act but Maxios’s well beaten sixth in Prince of Wales’s Stakes puts a big dampener over his chances and others make more appeal.

The Fugue: Top class filly last season, winning the Nassau and not getting the breaks elsewhere on numerous occasions, especially at the Breeders’ Cup; Could be far better than her well held third on return in Prince of Wales’s Stakes suggested given that she lacked a run and also was near last entering the straight in what was a slowly run race by top level standards; Longer straight here should suit and hopefully takes closer rank, so not hard to imagine big effort.

Mars: Not won since deeply impressive AW win on debut last year but gone some way to justifying hype over the winner with strong performances in Group 1’s this season, notably when third in the St James’s Palace Stakes last time behind Dawn Approach and Toronado, shaping as if this would be his best trip; Should run a big race and has to be considered today.

VERDICT: A tasty renewal with an interesting three year old representative. Al Kazeem’s superb season so far makes him the one to beat and if he’s not feeling the effects of his hard fought win over Mukhadram in the Prince of Wales’s, he can make it a Group 1 hat trick in style. Expect THE FUGUE to get far closer than she did last time however with better positioning and the benefit of that run, and she can provide the biggest threat to the favourite. The only three year old in the field, Mars, is a huge threat stepped up to 10f after three encouraging runs amongst his own age group so far and makes more appeal than his stablemate Declaration of War, who won a weak renewal of the Queen Anne and takes a stiff step up in class.