Coral-Eclipse Ratings Update: Ulysses still on the up

Despite race titles like the Distaff and Marathon striving once more to add a touch of Breeders’ Cup razzle-dazzle to Sandown’s Coral-Eclipse card on Saturday, the feature race itself was very much a Newmarket-centric affair, with the end result being a vintage renewal which featured a thrilling finish between two still progressing, top-class performers. With contrasting styles going head to head at the line, Ulysses (up 3 lb to 128) and Barney Roy (now 127) represented the clash of generations this race is designed for, that the pair managed to pull clear in what was a muddling race all to their credit, the winner Ulysses' performance among the better ones in the race this century. It was a race full of incident, with the trouble in the back straight significant, damaging the cause of the favourite Cliffs of Moher (loses +, now just 123), though his form didn't entitle him to that position and he'd have needed to improve plenty to trouble the principals.

The stewards were busy - the riders of Eminent (121) and Taj Mahal (117) picked up 8-day bans for careless riding - while James Doyle earned a referral to the BHA for his use of the whip on the runner-up under totting-up rules. Meanwhile, the winning trainer Sir Michael Stoute was fined due to the late arrival of the horse in the paddock, Ulysses one of several runners that were sweating markedly on a hot afternoon, the parade also curtailed due to time constraints. Ulysses will continue to be a major contender in all the top races at this trip, perhaps back over further too, either the Arc or the Champion Stakes sure to be a feasible option in the autumn, while Barney Roy opened up his options as he saw out the longer trip thoroughly. He has an even bigger performance in him one day if all falls right, sure to be of interest wherever he goes for the rest of the campaign. Desert Encounter (up 2 lb to 121) was three and a half lengths back in third, the David Simcock-trained five-year-old appearing to excel himself up in grade, albeit probably a shade flattered to finish third, for all that the way he went through the race hardly suggested he was out of place in this company. Cliffs of Moher who sweated up and was edgy beforehand, wasn't in quite the same form as when second in the Derby. He holds a variety of Group 1 entries, the King George amongst them, though his stable do have other options for that, both Highland Reel and Idaho appealing as likely candidates; incidentally, the Derby form on balance looks no better nor worse than it did at the time.

Other highlights on the card included the performance of Battaash (up 8 lb to 126) who steamrollered his opponents in the Charge. The draw clearly played a significant role, the trio that raced closest to the favoured rail taking the first three placings, however it was a huge performance from the winner, who beat his rivals all ends up, the form well above regular Group 3 standard, as he lowered the long-standing course record by no less than 0.25 secs. The King George Stakes at Goodwood was mentioned as a target; he could yet have more to offer and is very much one to have on side in the best 5f races. Tisbutadream (up 4 lb to 101) was given a well-judged ride from the front to land the Distaff, turning the placings on their head from the Sandringham handicap at Royal Ascot, while Nearly Caught (unchanged on 117) is a class better than listed company on his day and didn't have to show that against useful opposition in the Marathon. Mojito (up 3 lb to 101p) confirmed himself ahead of his mark with a clear-cut win in the opening handicap, while El Hayem (up 2 lb to 104), who needed humouring from the stalls, required every ounce of his rider’s skill to win the well-run Challenge handicap.

Over at Haydock, The Black Princess (now 113+) won a modest-looking and messy renewal of the Lancashire Oaks. Having said that, John Gosden’s filly produced another career best for this highest-profile win of her career so far, value for more than the winning margin too, coming from further back than Abingdon (now 112) in a slowly-run race and picking her off quite readily once in the clear; deeper races than this await in all likelihood, but she'll continue to run well. Abingdon ran creditably without quite matching the figure given to her for her wide-margin Pontefract win 13 days earlier; she is a smart filly and can go one better in pattern company before much longer.

The Old Newton Cup, which was run at a solid gallop after the headstrong Farquhar (down to 97+) took over after 4f and stretched the field out, saw a revival from Dylan Mouth (up 5 lb to 116). A former Group 1 winner in Italy, he had been given a chance by the handicapper, 6 lb lower than when placed in two handicaps in Dubai earlier this year, and, back down in trip in a well-run race, he bounced back to something like his best to take advantage. The Ebor will probably be considered and looking at this performance he's worth trying back over further in a truly-run race (didn't settle last time). Runner-up Soldier In Action (up to 113) had an excuse at Royal Ascot (short of room) and produced a career best here, while Shraaoh (105) has some strong form to his name and this was another good effort in a competitive race. He is perhaps still building up for the season too, having just his second start back, and it'd be no surprise if there was some improvement in the coming months.

In the following race, a conditions sprint over 6f, Magical Memory (now 120) wasted no time getting back on track with his sights significantly lowered from Royal Ascot. It's still hard to be sure whether he's quite as good as ever but this win at least raises hopes again with a view to going back up in grade. Runner-up Kachy (up 1 lb to 116), who also ran in the Diamond Jubilee last month, is a very fast and talented individual, as highlighted by this effort. While he’s not 100% straightforward, the King George at Goodwood still appeals as an ideal target. Finally, Thunder Snow (122) dictated matters from the front in the Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly on Sunday to gain a second Group 1 success, winning with a bit in hand under Christophe Soumillon. The Juddmonte International, QEII and Prix Jacques le Marois were all nominated as possible targets afterwards. Runner-up Trais Fluors (up to 119p) would have finished closer if he'd been able to get going earlier, and is still open to improvement. Incidentally, it was another small-field pattern race in France, with this race containing more fillies than colts, but having the fewest total number of runners since the 2001 renewal.