So You Think suffered a dent to his reputation when beaten at Royal Ascot but is fancied to show his true worth by landing a terrific renewal of the Coral-Eclipse (3.10) at Sandown Park today.
A top-class colt in Australia, where he carried all before him before failing to last home in the Melbourne Cup, So You Think joined Aidan O’Brien over the winter and was untroubled to win his first two starts for his new yard.
Events rather conspired against him when beaten by Rewilding in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot, as his pacemaker missed the break and he raced too freely with no cover in the first quarter mile. That was compounded by So You Think being sent clear off the home turn and he had nothing left to offer when challenged by Rewilding.
Likely to be ridden with a little more patience here, So You Think can prove too good for a pair of top-class opponents in Workforce and Snow Fairy.
Workforce won both the Derby and Arc last term, but while he was successful over this course and distance on his reappearance, much his best form has been over farther. Even with Confront in the line-up to ensure an honest gallop, he may be found wanting for speed.
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Snow Fairy won the Oaks at Epsom and the Irish equivalent last season before failing to stay when fourth in the St Leger. She bounced back from that with two valuable successes in group one company in Japan and Hong Kong at the end of the year, though, and is much respected.
The concern for her supporters is that fillies have a dire record in this race, with only Pebbles (1985) and Kooyonga (1992) having beaten the colts since the first renewal in 1886.
Night Carnation had her winning run broken here last time but can resume her progress in the Coral Charge (2.00). She was poorly drawn and unsuited by softer ground when only fourth to Margot Did three weeks ago, but has everything in her favour this time and will be tough to beat.
Start Right can land the Coral Challenge (2.35). He has had little luck on his past two starts, running a cracker from a terrible draw when third at Epsom and then racing on the unfavoured far side of the track when sixth in the Royal Hunt Cup.
There are plenty of out-of-form runners in the Coral Marathon (3.40) and Desert Sea is worth chancing at the 33-1 offered by totesport and William Hill. Winner of this race two years ago, he shaped with plenty of promise when fourth on his reappearance at Kempton Park and then failed to stay when tried over farther at Royal Ascot. He is worth another chance.
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At Haydock Park, Bay Willow may be tough to pass in the Bet365 Old Newton Cup (3.25). He was always up with the pace when landing competitive handicaps at the Curragh and Ascot when trained by Mark Johnston last year and showed that he retains his ability when winning a handicap at Meydan in February. He looks over-priced at 25-1 with Ladbrokes and totesport.
Gertrude Bell, who looked better than ever when making a winning return at Goodwood, is the one to beat in the Bet365 Lancashire Oaks (2.50).
Best bet of the day is at Leicester, where Cloud Rock can take the Royal Centre Nottingham Handicap (4.25). He has not had the best of luck on either start this year, nonetheless running well at both Newmarket and Epsom, and can make the most of this much easier task.