Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on Saturday - David a good bet!

It was most disappointing that David Junior failed to deliver at Royal Ascot. Indeed, he was rated the banker of the meeting in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes by yours truly and many, many others. Brian Meehan's charge got himself into a bit of a stir during the preliminaries and down at the start that day. He travelled reasonably well during the race but when Jamie Spencer popped the question two furlongs out the son of Pleasant Tap failed to deliver the potent turn of foot that we know he is capable of producing. It's probably best to assume that his indifferent performance at the Royal meeting was merely a one-off. He clearly didn't give anywhere near 100 per cent that day and, chances are, he'll leave that running well behind and reassert his status as the No 1 horse over a mile and a quarter in Europe when contesting the prestigious Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on Saturday. There is a positive to take from the fact that he was below par in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes - he's now a reasonable price for the Eclipse. Indeed, the 7/4 offered by Bet 365 could look pretty good shortly after 3.15pm on Saturday. David Junior signalled his arrival at the top of the ten-furlong tree when overcoming going which was plenty soft enough for him when outpointing Pride in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket last October, belying odds of 25/1 and beating a top-class field which included the likes of Oratorio, Alkaased, Rakti and Alexander Goldrun in the process. Any notion that that was a flash in the pan was dispelled in no uncertain terms when the selection returned to action in the Dubai Duty Free on a fast surface at Nad Al Sheba in March. David Junior treated a high-class field with utter disdain, beating The Tin Man by three and a half lengths without coming out of second gear. The likelihood of quick ground at Sandown on Saturday holds no terrors for David Junior and he is confidently expected to exact revenge on his Royal Ascot conqueror, Ouija Board. Ed Dunlop's classy mare was most impressive on that occasion, showcasing a sound turn of speed to come through to beat the pacesetting Electrocutionist by half a length, probably winning with a bit up her sleeve. The daughter of Cape Cross incontrovertibly proved in the process that she is just as effective over a mile and a quarter as she is over twelve furlongs, and she is bound to make a race of it with David Junior but I reckon that the latter will prove too strong this time. Generally third best in the market is French 2,000 Guineas hero Aussie Rules, who hails from the Aidan O'Brien stable. Ballydoyle's representatives always merit the utmost respect given that the stable has sent out the winner of this three times since 2000, including last year with Oratorio. The Danehill colt didn't put his best foot forward when seventh behind Darsi when favourite for the French Derby next time out but he is worth another chance and should give a good account of himself, and certainly fare best of the three-year-olds. The main concern for Aussie Rules is that he will be tackling fast ground for the first time on Saturday. Stablemate Ace is a regular fixture in Group 1 middle distance races and he is a relatively consistent sort, although his form is starting to look regressive and it would be a surprise if he were to come up trumps here. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained duo, Notnowcato and Notable Guest, would appear to be playing for places, while this is a big step up in class for Roger Charlton's Blue Monday and Snoqualmie Boy did well to beat a useful looking field in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot but that was a Listed contest and while he is unlikely to disgrace himself, he looks out of his depth against the likes of David Junior and Ouija Board. Verdict - 2pts David Junior @ 7/4 (Bet 365)