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Dancing Gemini could have a chance. I fancied him for the Derby. Despite being unlucky, not handling the course and seemingly not staying, still managed to finish 6th. IF there are 8 runners, would be as near a EW certainty as you’d get.
Dancing Gemini certainly has a chance, Tonge. But there must be a doubt about him being as effective on a firmish surface. Ditto Al Riffa.
Value Is EverythingIf White Birch runs then City Of Troy will probably drift.
But if WB does not run COT might even start 1/3.If it is good-firm then Ghostwriter might be the ew bet. Hasn’t had those ground conditions yet this term. Royal Lodge winner looked one that could improve as a 3 year old… But take COT and WB out and the rest are much of a muchness.
Be interesting if Stay Alert were to make a quick turn around after being unplaced last week in the Pretty Polly. Softer conditions may well have been against her there. You’d think Coolmore will ensure a sound pace for COT and she could revert to her usual hold up tactics too.
Jayarebe for the (for once) “in form” Meehan team? Ran well to win at Royal Ascot, but wasn’t the best horse in that race (Kings Gambit)…
Ghostwriter’s owner-mate Sea the Fire was less than 4 lengths behind in the Coronation. This trip might bring out more improvement if taking her chance. Her dam Arabian Queen pulled off a shock in the International – beating Golden Horn.
Value Is EverythingWhite Birch’s participation is dependent on a blood test tomorrow seems what kept him from Royal Ascot has not fully cleared.
The more I know the less I understand.
That’s the official description, RTB.
For whatever reason WB is out to 7 on the machine.
If he was a definite runner / spot on for the race I’d expect him to be half that. So if his price doesn’t change I’d expect them to announce his blood is still wrong.Value Is EverythingIt’ll be a real shame for the race if it doesn’t happen (White Birch), appreciate those of you on nice prices on COT won’t be too fussed about that but its a tough sport to sell if you’ve got these premier group races which most people won’t be betting on the day when you’ve got a small field and a heavy odds on fav. Respectfully we could be looking at City Of Troy against 114 and lower rated opponents if O’Brien doesn’t have intentions of running any of his other top horses and that’s just no good for the game at this level. At the same time connections of White Birch need to do what is best by the horse. I can only echo what I’ve said many times over, too many options for the top horses, not speaking about White Birch specifically here but we’ve had Royal Ascot, Grand Prix de Saint Cloud, Irish Derby and now the Eclipse in the space of a couple of weeks. If you throw in the Pretty Polly too, that basically takes out the prospect of any decent fillies/mares taking part in the Eclipse most years. That is just stupidity and unsustainable to keeping the sport popular long-term because its obviously just going to divide the talent and promote small field, uncompetitive racing.
“For whatever reason WB is out to 7 on the machine”.
Now 8.8.
Doesn’t look promising as far as White Birch is concerned.
Value Is EverythingIt is a shame but at least its a welfare/wellbeing decision rather than the ground or seeking softer targets. No issue with that. Kevin Blake did a piece on ATR basically summing up what I’ve said about too many group 1 races over middle distance trips in a short space of time, moving the Eclipse later in the year and he’s also talking about changing the Irish Derby trip. He’s obviously done it better than me, well worth a read I’d say https://www.attheraces.com/blogs/kevin-blake/01-july-2024/kevin-blake. Its sparked a small debate on social media with the bigwigs at Coral who sponsor the race, Simon Clare’s got a bit defensive over it.
Blake is spot on. The eclipse is a bitterly disappointing turn out and I don’t think w birch would have run due to the ground anyway. Just be thankful the lads kept Luxembourg and a rodin in training or it could have been desperate in the group ones. Pity warm heart was packed off to stud as she would have gone close in a few group ones.
Had White Birch got Good ground and had Passenger been in A1 condition… We’d be calling this an excellent renewal.
Value Is EverythingIts not about the ground for White Birch is it? He’s unwell. If they’d both been well they’d have run at Royal Ascot and this field would probably be the same as it is which is a Derby winner against horses rated well below the standard of a Group 1.
To give him some credit prior to this season Gosden did support the race with his fillies and mares but even they’ve taken the softer option of the Pretty Polly this year with Emily Upjohn.
Field is down to eight unless City Of Troy underperforms I can only see one winner.
The more I know the less I understand.
Al Riffa @ 25’s
I watched his last race and he never looked happy at any point during it really. Probably due to the firm ground or not good as hoped but also it was his first time going left handed. His first run this year puts him in with a decent shout.
Without the FAV market will be very interesting you would imagine.
There is a fair amount of rain forecast for tomorrow which may well determine who will be placed.
If there’s less than forecast then Stay Alert, Jayarebe and Ghostwriter will be shorter than they are now. If plenty of rain then Al Riffa, Dancing Gemini and See The Fire will come into it. If it’s Good ground then the proverbial “F” knows.
Value Is EverythingYou could be excused for thinking tomorrow is a bank holiday given the number of meetings on offer. Needless to say it’s nearly all bookmaker fodder. When isn’t it?
I had vowed to avoid See The Fire like the plague after her abysmal effort in the Guineas. She ran a bit better in the Coronation, and I am pinning my hopes here on the extra distance being a big plus. That together with the opposition not being anything special. So an each-way dart without the favourite.
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