Good morning all,

As expected, we had a small field for Saturday’s big race the Coral Eclipse, with just four meeting the starter. Down on quantity but not quality, as three of the four runners came into the race with an Official Rating 120+.

Inside today’s main piece. I put the focus on Saturday’s stand out performances. Plus, you'll find a selection from today's meeting at Nottingham.

St Mark Eclipses Rivals

St Mark’s Basilica put in a dominate performance to win the Coral Eclipse. In the process he gave Aidan O’Brien a record equalling sixth win in the race. Albeit it was his first success since saddling So You Think to win in 2011.

Always in a good position in third tracking the leader Addeybb and hard pulling Mishriff.  Once Ryan Moore asked the colt to win his race two out. He soon readily brushed aside Mishriff and Addeybb for a decisive success.

As I mentioned last week. It was good to see a 3-year-old beating the older generation and his wins in France had shown he can use his turn of speed to win steadily run races.

Mishriff who had taken over the running from long-time leader Addeybb, lost second to that one in the final half furlong. The rain that fell before the race suited Addeybb he can improve for the run. Mishriff travelled too powerfully on his first start since March and it impacted on his finishing effort.

The winners best form has come with ease in the ground. However, there is no reason why this good moving colt can’t be equally as effective on a sound surface. It was a professional performance from the winner. He’s getting better and better with racing with the next stop likely to be the Juddmonte International at York.

More Sandown Highlights

The Group 3 Coral Charge was won by the Ed Walker trained Come From the Dark. The 5-year-old so unlucky not win the Palace House Stakes on his previous start, came from off the pace to mow down Arecibo in the final strides.  It was a great “hands and heels” ride by winning jockey Tom Marquand who never used the whip on his mount.

Magical Morning was another Saturday Sandown winner to be given a good ride by his jockey to win the Coral Challenge Handicap. Magical Morning who had shaped like the run was needed when 8th of 30 in the Royal Hunt Cup on his previous run, ran out a tidy winner of the race.  With Frankie Dettori producing the 4-year-old with a well-timed run to beat long-time leader Maydanny .  The runner-up had got an easy lead out in front but was no match for the well ridden winner.

Haydock Highlights

At Haydock the ground had eased significantly before racing. Turning the ground from good to soft for Old Newton Cup Day.

Alpinista a game winner of a Listed race at Goodwood in on her seasonal return was sent off the 11/4 favourite for the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks. Top on official ratings, she showed her toughness to run out a game winner. This was the filly’s first start on soft ground but she had no problems with underfoot conditions. Always up with strong pace her effort can be marked up slightly.

Runner-up to Love in last year’s Yorkshire Oaks, a race that seems likely to be a target again. The filly stays 1m 4f strongly and should get further. That would bring a race like the 1m 6 ½ f Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster under serious consideration. Alpinista’s connections will no doubt be hoping they can gain a Group 1 success with her this season.

Old Newton Cup: Success For Alounak

Five non runners meant just 12 went to post for the Old Newton Cup.  The race was won easily by the Andrew Balding trained Alounak.  A classy but frustrating horse. He was well handicapped on his second placed effort to Fanny Logan in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at last year’s Royal Ascot. However, he hadn’t run to that level of performance on subsequent starts last season or this.

Well suited to soft ground and a strongly run race. He swept past long time leader Pablo Escobarr a furlong out and went to onto win by an easy looking three lengths. He could now head for the Sky Bet Ebor but given his profile he would be no certainty to back up this performance.

Monday Racing

Nottingham

4:15 – Elevate has shaped with enough ability in three starts in maiden/novice company to think she can win a race and a mark of 65 for her handicap debut looks workable.

Monday selection:

Elevate – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes

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Good luck with your Monday bets.

John

John Burke is the tipster behind the long standing Victor Value service you can join him here – https://victorvalue.uk