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Eclipse remains an option for top older horses as money flows for Vadeni

No decision has yet been made on whether State Of Rest (left) or Bay Bridge will head to Sandown for the Coral-Eclipse
No decision has yet been made on whether State Of Rest (left) or Bay Bridge will head to Sandown for the Coral-EclipseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Connections of State Of Rest and Bay Bridge gave an update on the wellbeing of the first and second home in last week's Prince of Wales's Stakes, but no decision has yet been made on whether one or both will run in the Coral-Eclipse on Saturday week.

Charlie Appleby has already indicated that Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Native Trail will likely head to the £750,000 showpiece at Sandown, where he is due to face runaway Prix du Jockey Club winner Vadeni following news that the Aga Khan is set to supplement the colt at a cost of £50,000.

Vadeni hardened as favourite with Coral on Monday and is now 2-1 (from 5-2) to follow up St Mark's Basilica in completing the Chantilly-Sandown double.

Bay Bridge was given a Racing Post Rating of 122 for his first appearance in Group 1 company – 4lb below his win in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes – after which trainer Sir Michael Stoute indicated he would consider stepping the four-year-old up to a mile and a half at some stage.

However, breeder and co-owner James Wigan said that while he believed the progressive son of New Bay would get the extra trip in time, he would personally be in no rush and the Eclipse remained under consideration.

James and Anita Wigan alongside Ryan Moore after Bay Bridge had registered an impressive win in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes
James and Anita Wigan alongside Ryan Moore after Bay Bridge had registered an impressive win in the Brigadier Gerard StakesCredit: Mark Cranham

Wigan said: "We haven't ruled the Eclipse out and we haven't made a decision as of yet. I saw Sir Michael briefly at Ascot and he said the horse has come back fine.

"He's from a family of the Aga Khan's that does stay quite well and I'm sure he will get a mile and a half but I don't really see a need to extend him at the moment.

"He's run well enough at ten furlongs, I would have thought, to keep him at that."

Stoute has won the Eclipse six times – all with older horses – and Bay Bridge is currently 5-1 with sponsors Coral, the same price as State Of Rest.

Joseph O'Brien said there is no clear plan in the pipeline for State Of Rest and connections will keep their options open throughout the summer months.

Joseph O'Brien after State Of Rest had won the Prince Of Wales's Stakes
Joseph O'Brien after State Of Rest had won the Prince Of Wales's StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

"We haven't really looked at too many plans going forward but we were very pleased with his performance and he seems to have come home from Ascot well," O'Brien said.

"We'll look at all the big mile and mile-and-a-quarter races and we'll keep our options open between them."

On State Of Rest's fourth Group 1 success, O'Brien added: "It's very hard for any horse to win one Group 1 let alone four. Hopefully there's more to come from him."

Saeed bin Suroor said at Ascot last week that he would be keeping a close eye on how Real World came out of his run behind Baaeed with a view to potentially stepping up in trip for the Eclipse, while Mishriff is reportedly on course for his first start since the Saudi Cup in February.


Coral-Eclipse (July 2, Sandown)

Sponsors: 2-1 Vadeni, 7-2 Native Trail, 4-1 Mishriff, 5-1 Bay Bridge, 6-1 State Of Rest, Real World, 8-1 Alenquer, 12 bar


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