Benbatl Can Reverse That Epsom Form

Charlie McCann says the Classic generation can score at Sandown

- Charlie McCann

The Coral Eclipse Stakes is one of the great Fraces on the calendar and until 2016, only the brilliant Derby winners Sea The Stars (2009) and Golden Horn (2015) had won the race for the Classic generation since 2005.

That trend was bucked 12 months ago when Hawkbill won a soft ground renewal for Charlie Appleby having taken the Hampton Court Stakes on his previous start at Royal Ascot. That 10f Group 3 contest might again hold the key to this year’s renewal as we begin our preview of Sandown’s Group one contest.

Benbatl was beaten less than four lengths in the Derby on his penultimate start but improved for the drop back in trip when beating Order of the garter by half a length at the Royal meeting. A number of pundits in the aftermath of the race felt the latter may have been a shade unlucky given he came from a fair way back, but I felt the Saeed Bin Suroor trained son of Dubawi was a worthy winner and ten furlongs looks his trip.