Racecards
15:50 Sandown Park
Coral-Eclipse (British Champions Series) (Group 1) (Class 1)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f 7y
- Going: Good to Firm, Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- £425,000 added
- Winner: £241,018
- 2nd: £91,375
- 3rd: £45,730
- 4th: £22,780
- Form 22/1-111
- Age 5
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer H & R Charlton
- Jockey James Doyle
tracked leader for 1f, settled 3rd on rail, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, hung badly right 110 yards out, soon clear, stayed on well
- Form 411-151
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey Joseph O'Brien
tracked leading trio, ridden and went 3rd over 1f out, driven and hung right inside final furlong, stayed on to 2nd final 75 yards, no impression on winner
- Form 0-21435
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer C E Brittain
- Jockey Richard Hughes
held up in last trio, went poor 5th inside final 2f, never any chance
- Form 1425-12
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer W J Haggas
- Jockey P Hanagan
led and set steady pace, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, badly hampered last 110 yards, not recover and lost 2nd final 75 yards
- Form 1314-10
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 122
took keen hold, held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, soon beaten
- Form 32123-3
- Age 4
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer J & T Gosden
- Jockey W Buick
took keen hold, held up in 5th on outside, ridden and no progress over 2f out, soon beaten
- Form 1-663
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey R L Moore
tracked leader after 1f, pushed along inside final 3f, wandered and lost 2nd over 2f out, soon no chance with leading duo, one pace and no impression when lost 3rd over 1f out, switched left and kept on in closing stages
Verdict
Declaration Of War came right back to his best when landing the Queen Anne Stakes and has won over a longer trip, though seems best at a mile. His stamina will certainly be tested here if Mukhadram adopts the same tactics as in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes when only AL KAZEEM was able to run him down. That was a second a successive Group 1 triumph for Roger Charlton's much-improved five-year-old and he will relish the stiff finish here so is hard to oppose. The Fugue was held up too far off the pace at Ascot and is expected to finish closer here, however, while Mario Hofer is convinced he has Pastorius back to his best. The German challenger has won three times at the highest level and is no mug. Neither is Ballydoyle's supposed second string Mars, who may well have been placed in the Derby at Epsom had he not been knocked sideways when starting his run. He was also hampered when third in the St James's Palace Stakes and it would be no surprise if 1m2f proved his optimum distance. Miblish is generally found out in this grade.
Formwatch
Al Kazeem 11-4 (9-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, went 2nd approaching final 2f, 3 lengths to find 2f out, closed 1f out, upsides inside final furlong, stayed on gamely to lead final 50 yards, won at Royal Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun beating Mukhadram (9-0) by nk, 11 ran.
Declaration Of War (USA) 15-2 (9-0) In touch, closed on leaders over 2f out, short of room and not clear run approaching final furlong, squeezed through entering final furlong, ridden and ran on to lead towards finish, impressive, won at Royal Ascot 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun beating Aljamaaheer (9-0) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Miblish 66-1 (9-0) Tracked leading pair until over 2f out, chased leading trio until weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 5l behind Al Kazeem (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Mukhadram 14-1 (9-0) Led, quickened over 2f out, soon 3 lengths clear, ridden and reduced lead approaching final furlong, joined inside final furlong, no extra and headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 11, nk behind Al Kazeem (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Pastorius (GER) (9-0) 12th of 13, 18l behind Military Attack (9-0) at Kranji(SNG) 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in May.
The Fugue 13-2 (8-11) Steadied start, held up towards rear, headway on outside and plenty to do 2f out, ridden inside final 2f, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Al Kazeem (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Mars (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Close up, not clear run over 1f out, ridden and headway entering final furlong, soon short of room, stayed on to go 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Dawn Approach (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.