DERBY WINNER SET TO ECLIPSE AND DESTROY

Paul Ferguson says the Sandown highlight is ideal for City bid

- Paul Ferguson

AIthough he has the option of running in the Irish Derby the previous weekend, the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown (Saturday, July 6) appeals as the ideal next target for impressive Derby winner City Of Troy.

The son of Justify bounced back from a disappointing return in the 2,000 Guineas to run out a thoroughly convincing winner of the Epsom Classic, whilst showing more than enough pace to suggest that coming back to 1m2f won't pose him any problems.

Ridden patiently at Epsom, he still had plenty in front of him as the field swung around Tattenham Corner and the most impressive element of the performance was how quickly he moved through to lead with just over a quarter-of-a-mile to run. He saw the 12f trip out well but certainly won't mind coming back in distance by a couple of furlongs and he can provide Aidan O'Brien, pictured top right, with a record-stretching eighth win in the Eclipse.

Five of his previous seven winners were three-year-olds, including O'Brien's two most recent winners of the race, St Mark's Basilica (2021) and Paddington (2023). City Of Troy will bid to become just the third Derby winner to land the Eclipse this century, following on from Sea The Stars (2009) and Golden Horn (2015).

The Group 1 the following Saturday (July 13) is the July Cup at Newmarket, but that race could have a totally different look to it after Royal Ascot and (arguably) the bigger betting heat of the day is the valuable John Smith's Cup at York, a 1m2%2f heritage handicap.

Roger Varian won the race 10 years ago with Farraaj and he looks to have a live contender once again, in the shape of Botanical who won over course-and-distance on his reappearance. Twice a winner - over slightly shorter during his 3yo campaign, the Lope de Vega gelding looked an improved performer when running away with a 0-100 contest at the Dante meeting and this looks to be the logical next step.