Endless Hall to eclipse all

13 April 2012

Bookmakers expect a colt from this year's classic generation to win tomorrow's Coral Eurobet Eclipse Stakes. Three-year-olds, Black Minnaloushe and Tobougg, head the betting but have much to prove facing their elders for the first time.

The weather is a complicating factor. At present, the ground at Sandown is on the faster side of good to firm. But heavy rain is forecast and, when the Esher track last raced 20 days ago, it changed the going from good-to-firm to soft within 48 hours.

Nine horses were declared for this £345,000 Group One at yesterday's final 48-hour stage, although Holding Court won't run unless there's sufficient rain. That's exactly what Medicean doesn't want.

This colt was already a classy three-year-old, but Newmarket trainer Sir Michael Stoute - who saddled Kalanisi to finish a narrow runner-up to Giant's Causeway in this 10-furlong contest 12 months ago - has extracted further improvement.

Last year's Celebration Mile victor (when he beat Observatory) didn't need his best to take Newbury's Group One Lockinge Stakes in May. He then got first run on his rivals to win Royal Ascot's Queen Anne Stakes.

The plan was to wait until the Sussex Stakes and step up to 10 furlongs later, but this wide-open Eclipse was evidently too tempting. Medicean failed his previous try at this trip so abysmally it must be forgotten. He strikes as a likely stayer, but the worry is about the rain. Vast quantities would test suspect stamina and this colt moves best on fastish ground.

Five-year-old Endless Hall also boasts his best form on going faster than good, but has won on soft and heavy going. Although most effective at this trip, he stays 12 furlongs and looks under-rated.

He's won two Group One events for his Newmarket trainer, Luca Cumani, including defeat of Dubai Duty Free Stakes winner, Jim And Tonic, in the Singapore Cup. He ran better than his sixth would suggest in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.

That day, he tried too hard to keep tabs on pacemaking Give The Slip, who he beat in Dubai. He managed to lead early in the straight, but then couldn't repel the strong finish of rivals held up longer.

But defeat by startlingly impressive winner Fantastic Light, runnerup Kalanisi, Hightori and Observatory was no disgrace. It was a far tougher task than faced here and, with better tactics employed, he looks the value bet at 8-1. His chances improve if the rain fails to hit Sandown.

Fast finishing wins in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes suggest Black Minnaloushe will relish this step up in trip. He won't be inconvenienced whatever the ground. But his Royal Ascot success was a blanket finish, so the form may not be as strong as his odds imply.

Tobougg merits respect - owners Godolphin have won three of the past six renewals. A dual Group One winner as a juvenile, he flopped in the 2,000 Guineas but finished an excellent third in the Derby, coming from too far off a steady pace. That form has been resoundingly franked, but he still has his stripes to earn. Grandera would prefer a couple more furlongs. The rest aren't up to this.

Coral Eurobet Eclipse Stakes selections: 1, Endless Hall; 2, Medicean; 3, Black Minnaloushe.

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