Aidan O’Brien’s Coral-Eclipse plan has gained a major tactical boost after Constitution River drew stall three for Saturday’s £1million Group 1 at Sandown, with stablemate Hawk Mountain next door in two.
The draw gives Ballydoyle a far cleaner starting point than Constitution River faced when winning the Prix du Jockey Club from stall 15 at Chantilly, and it keeps Ryan Moore’s mount close to Wayne Lordan on Hawk Mountain in stall two.
O’Brien has also declared Flushing Meadows, drawn widest in seven, in a field that includes Gethin from stall one, Saddadd, A Boy Named Susie and King’s Gambit. ReadHorseRacing’s field guide covered the final seven on Thursday; the draw now gives the race a sharper tactical shape.
Ballydoyle Pair Get Sandown Platform
According to Thoroughbred Daily News’ Coral-Eclipse declarations and draw report, Constitution River and Hawk Mountain have landed what looks a near-perfect inside-middle pairing for the Esher feature.
That matters because Gethin, the main British-trained threat, breaks from the rail and could need early racing room if O’Brien’s pair and the likely pace angle of Flushing Meadows shape the first turn.
For O’Brien, already chasing another Sandown statement after three straight Eclipse wins, the draw does not decide the race. It does, however, remove one obvious complication for the French Derby winner and gives Moore the chance to hold a prominent, uncomplicated position from the gate.
