Delacroix Gets Ryan Out of Trouble

Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece I am looking back at an enthralling Saturday of racing.

Delacroix Delivers in Eclipse Thriller

On Saturday, Coral celebrated 50 years of sponsoring the Eclipse. They got a small but select field and a messy, yet enthralling renewal.

It was modestly run for the first five furlongs, making it more a test of speed than stamina.

Ombudsman was ridden more prominently than at Royal Ascot. William Buick clearly anticipated the lack of pace and didn’t want to be caught too far back, though the horse probably raced a touch closer than ideal.

Ombudsman took it up 2f out and, when he went for home 1f out, looked the likely winner. Meanwhile, Delacroix was still last, stuck behind runners and needing to switch wide to get a run. It looked an impossible task from that point — but somehow, he reeled in Ombudsman in the final strides.

Delacroix Gets Ryan Out of Trouble

Ryan Moore got plenty of plaudits after the race, but truthfully it was Delacroix who got him out of trouble. He managed to get boxed in behind Ruling Court and stablemate Camille Pissarr, stumbled three furlongs out and still picked up to win.

This was a huge performance from the Derby flop, and a reminder of his class. We already knew Delacroix had a turn of foot from his trial wins, but his finishing sectionals here were good and crucially he tired less than his rivals in the final furlong.

Ombudsman, back just 17 days after his Royal Ascot win, ran with great credit. He’s still relatively unexposed and, granted a proper pace, will remain a tough nut to crack. If he runs in the Juddmonte International, surely connections will look to utilise the services of a pacemaker.

After the race Moore hinted that Delacroix could drop back to a mile and that suggestion has merit. But probably, he’ll go where Field Of Gold doesn’t.

I backed Camille Pissarro, who ran well for fourth despite losing a shoe. The pre-race drift — once Moore sided with Delacroix — was telling. Ruling Court proved he stays 1m2f but had no run in the straight. He’d have been a closer but still third best for me.

We can analyse the race to death but really, it was just a true spectacle and a great horse race.

Rest of the Sandown Card

Rumstar got up in the final strides to collar long-time leader She’s Quality in the shadow of the post in the Group 3 Coral Charge. You’ve got to feel for the runner-up — that’s now three consecutive runner-up finishes in Group company. If she heads to the King George at Glorious Goodwood, she’ll be tough to peg back.

Blue Bolt Shows Grit in the Distaff

Blue Bolt made it 3-4 when winning the Listed Coral Distaff. Always handy — which was the place to be — she got a clever tactical ride from Colin Keane. She’ll need to improve again to win a Group 1 over a mile, but she’s heading the right way and deserves a crack at the top level against her own sex.

One to mark up from the race is runner-up Cajole. She made up plenty of ground in the final two furlongs, and if she’d been a touch closer when making her effort, she might well have won. Like the winner she’s another improving filly.

Haydock: Plage De Havre Dominates Old Newton Cup

It was Old Newton Cup Day at Haydock, and while it wasn’t the deepest renewal of this historic handicap, we got a decisive winner in Plage De Havre. The progressive middle-distance performer hit the front two furlongs out and quickly put a couple of lengths between himself and his rivals to win by four lengths. He was simply too well treated for his rivals.

I’d tipped Sportingsilvermine each way at 22/1, and he ran well to land the place money in fourth. He was repeatedly denied a clear run in the straight and would have finished a clear second with a smoother passage. That said I don’t think he would have beaten the winner even with a clear run.

Estrange Does Enough in Weak Lancashire Oaks

Earlier on the card, Estrange was made to work hard as Scenic pushed the long odds-on favourite all the way in the Group 2 Bet365 Lancashire Oaks. Just four runners lined up in what looked a weak renewal on paper. In the end, it turned into a sprint for home in the straight. That wasn't ideal for the winner, who changed her legs a couple of times and never looked fully comfortable on ground that was quicker than ideal.

Still, Estrange did enough to get the job done. Better is expected with more juice in the ground and a stronger gallop. The Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks is reportedly next, and connections will be hoping for plenty of rain in August if she’s to be at her real best.

Monday Racing: Nothing to See Here

Monday’s racing is dire. Four meetings across Britain and Ireland, and not a single race worth £10,000 to the winner. The days are long gone when I’d spend time digging for bets in cards like these — it’s simply not worth the effort.

I’ll leave that to the likes of Hugh Taylor, who still manages to find angles in this kind of moderate fare. Hats off to him — but I’ll be sitting Monday out.

Good luck with your Monday bets.

John