Horse Racing

Pic: John Walton/Empics
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Lame So You Think misses Sandown Park farewell

By Richard Spiller
July 06, 2012

SO YOU THINK has had the prospect of a thrilling Sandown Park farewell in the Coral-Eclipse on Saturday (July 7) ripped away.

The champion was hotly tipped to repeat last year’s triumph but was found to be lame in his stable at Aiden O’Brien’s Ballydoyle stable.

It was due to be the horse’s final appearance, following up a magnificent victory in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.

Success at Sandown would have given So You Think an 11th group one victory in an illustrious career which has brought successes in Britain, Ireland and Australia.

It meant the final field of 10 released caused a huge shock, the stable tweeting by way of explanation: “So You Think was found to be lame in his stable a short time ago and will not run in the Eclipse on Saturday.”

That will cause understandable disappointment given the race is one of the highlights of the flat season and a huge moment for Sandown.

Yet a high quality field remains and it may produce a tighter race if anything. Farhh, who finished a disappointing third to So You Think at Ascot, will face opposition from Nathaniel – winner of the King George last year – and Dubai World Cup champion Monterosso in an eagerly-awaited clash where classic three-year-olds get a crack at more experienced horses.

Results on Saturday count towards the British Champion series, which was introduced last year to give a greater narrative to the flat season.

A seven-race meeting starts at 1.30pm with the Bet on the Move with coral.co.uk Mobile Handicap Stakes over seven furlongs, the main event coming at 3.45pm with Eclipse over one mile and two furlongs.

Admission is £28 (grandstand) or £40 with bookings still available on 01372 470047 or via www.sandown.co.uk.

Not be be overlooked either is Friday’s Ladies Day at Sandown Park, when a competition for the best dressed female spectator will be judged by Strictly Come Dancing’s Ola and James Jordan prior to the start of racing.

Racing begins at 2.20pm with the Bluefin Handicap Stakes, the highlight being the listed Ambant Gala Stakes at 4pm.

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