Rip Van Winkle is my tip (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Rip Van Winkle is my tip

9:48am Thursday 2nd July 2009

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Highlight of the weekend is the Group 1 Coral Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday where Irish maestro Aidan O’Brien attempts to lift the prestigious prize with Rip Van Winkle.

With stable jockey Johnny Murtagh under suspension Jimmy Fortune comes in for the ride and former Manton trainer John Gosden’s jockey is relishing the opportunity of deputising for his weighing room colleague.

Derby winner Sea The Stars had the Aidan O’Brien colt well behind him at Epsom but over a couple of furlongs shorter the Ballydoyle team are hoping they can turn the tables.

Fortune was reported as saying that he was delighted to be on one of the leading fancies in such a high profile race and added : “It’s obvious that Johnny likes the horse a lot because he rode him in the Derby even when there was a doubt about his stamina so he must have been showing up well at home.

“He probably didn’t stay at Epsom so a step back to a mile and a quarter should be in his favour.”

Sea The Stars missed out on the Irish Derby last weekend because of the ground and will be looking to add further to his two Classic wins with the drop in distance no obvious disadvantage.

Second favourite behind Sea The Stars is likely to be the Sir Michael Stoute trained Conduit, the mount of Ryan Moore, the talented four year old could have a pacemaker in the form of stable companion Lang Shining while top jockey Frankie Dettori is set to ride Cima De Triomphe for Newmarket trainer Luca Cumani, who was reported to be happy with his charge and hopeful of a good run.

Henry Cecil, who last won the race 30 years ago with Gunner B is set to be represented by 16/1 shot Twice Over saying that the horse is entitled to takehis chance.

Armchair racing fans will be in for a treat with the Channel 4 cameras screening the race live at 3.15, together with three other race at the meeting.

This columns selection for the Epsom Derby was Rip Van Winkle, so keeping faith with the three year old colt, he is the selection to get the better of Sea Of Stars on this occasion. The star studded Sandown card gets underway at 2.05 with the Group 3 Coral Charge Sprint Stakes that could give Ryan Moore a great start to the meeting on board Waffle for trainer Jeremy Noseda.

The one mile Coral Challenge, a Heritage Handicap, could be won by Alfathaa, the mount of Richard Hills while the Listed race for Fillies run over a mile could go to Seradim, the mount of Frankie Dettori for trainer Paul Cole.

Other meetings are scheduled for Haydock where an each way selection in the first race on the card could be the Beckhampton trained Brunston, the mount of Seb Sanders.

Feature race at the venue is the Group2 Lancashire Oaks where once again Roger Charlton’s runner Clowance could get in the prize money, however the selection is for the Barry Hills trained High Heeled to land the spoils.

Leicester and Beverley provide the other afternoon action with evening meetings at Nottingham and Carlisle.

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