2016 Coral Eclipse Time to Test The Ghurka?

tryfix

A fascinating race this. The hype horse Time Test against the could be anything horse The Ghurka with the improving Gp1 winning mudlover My Dream Boat.

The unbeaten supplemented Hawkbill is another possible fly in the ointment. With the 3yo weight advantage he'd have a chance if The Ghurka flops.

There's little between the top 3 on ratings. My Dream Boat leads the field with an OR of 122, Time Test is on 121 and The Ghurka on 120.

Not quite the penalty kick for The Ghurka that the odds suggest?

I'd think the fact that O'Brien is running his star 3yo stallion prospect here with plenty of confidence behind him is an indication that O'Brien definitely thinks he'll win and I think he will win myself as his French Guineas rout has been proven to be of a much higher class field than was allowed for by the handicapper. I think this horse is more of a middle distance horse than a miler, we'll find out on Saturday.

Having never been a believer in the Time Test hype, I've come to respect his 4yo form as being that of an improving horse capable of winning at Gp1 level. Those Dubawi's get better with age so he can certainly progress on his form of last year. On the downside the ground is against him as is the company.

My Dream Boat is already a very good horse. He's beaten the good yardstick Western Hymn twice in his last 3 runs and should confirm superiority over that horse and Time Test through their collateral form. Found was having a very good day at Ascot and he collared her, the stiff uphill finish here should allow him time to reel in the front runners, but there's a worry that he ran across the track at Ascot in the last furlong and that the stiffer finish here may just be a little too much for him.

Peintre Celebre

It would be disappointing if the Gurkha doesn't win. I'd say he could comfortably prove to be the best in the race. Interestingly on Timeform figures they have him 127p, second highest 3yo behind Harzand 128. My Dream Boat 126 is a really likeable horse and a fast improver. I agree re Time Test he should run well in all the 10 furlong gr.1s but it would probably be a bit disappointing if he were good enough to win one especially on ground that isn't absolutely ideal.

Fascinating Rock would have had a fair chance here on ground he'd like

Harry Angstrom

Win or lose, The Gurkha is too short for me for what he's achieved so far, although the 11Ibs he receives from the older horses gives him an obvious chance of winning.
Hoping the ground dries up a bit more for Time Test during the afternoon. Worth a chance at 7/2 and it's money back as a free bet with PP if second to the SP fav.

Francie Barrett

Who cares about the Coral Eclipse, the big race of the day is the FRANZ-GUNTHER VON GAERTNER GEDACHTNISRENNEN Hamburger Stutenmeile. Think Excilly has a cracking chance for it.

Harry Angstrom

I wonder if somebody will try and do a Notnowcato in the Eclipse and come up the stands rail? Judging by the finish of the handicap, it could happen.

faoile@n

tryfix wrote: »

I'd think the fact that O'Brien is running his star 3yo stallion prospect here with plenty of confidence behind him is an indication that O'Brien definitely thinks he'll win and I think he will win myself as his French Guineas rout has been proven to be of a much higher class field than was allowed for by the handicapper. I think this horse is more of a middle distance horse than a miler, we'll find out on Saturday.

Maybe you'll stop peddling this nonsense now

tryfix

faoile@n wrote: »

Maybe you'll stop peddling this nonsense now

Tee hee, wait till Zarak places in the Arc.

Outstayed by "A Charlie Appleby" horse... which will suit the he's all speed line from O'Brien.

Harry Angstrom

That O'Brien pacemaker was as about as much use as a chocolate teapot.

Harry Angstrom

tryfix wrote: »

Tee hee, wait till Zarak places in the Arc.

Outstayed by "A Charlie Appleby" horse... which will suit the he's all speed line from O'Brien.

He could've won the July Cup next week :pac:

tryfix

Harry Angstrom wrote: »

That O'Brien pacemaker was as about as much use as a chocolate teapot.

Mad stuff, he didn't run as a pacemaker at all and his recent form was too crap to justify running him for 5th-6th place.


All the same there was a lot of talent in this race and on reflection this was one hell of a hot race, but the pacemaker Countermeasure in 4th fks up the rating potential.


Soft Ground racing is a load of bollix from a form point of view.

Have to say The Gurkha wasn't stopping at the line, he just got done with a half furlong to go and stayed going.

Harry Angstrom

Hawkbill could be an interesting runner if connections decide to supplement him for the King George, getting weight for age from Postponed. It's been a poor enough race in recent years, and this year's race doesn't look much better.
There's still a Group One in Time Test if he ever gets the fast ground he needs. The Gurkha is a horse to lay every time he runs, and My Dream Boat probably won the worst Prince of Wales's Stakes that's ever been run at Royal Ascot.

tryfix

Harry Angstrom wrote: »

Hawkbill could be an interesting runner if connections decide to supplement him for the King George, getting weight from Postponed. It's been a poor enough race in recent years, and this year's race doesn't look much better.
There's still a Group One in Time Test if he ever gets the fast ground he needs. The Gurkha is a horse to lay every time he runs, and My Dream Boat probably won the worst Prince of Wales's Stakes that's ever been run at Royal Ascot.

A hardy buck that Hawkbill. I was thinking about Time Test, that was a fair run on crap ground and his pedigree has plenty of stamina in it, he's dam was 3rd in a 12f Gp1 and she was out of a Sadler's Wells dam so he should be better suited by 12f at this stage. Strange when you think how he was expected to win the Breeder's Cup Mile.

Itziger

But is the Gurkha a shirker??

Thought he was going to go and win it but didn't seem to fancy it about half a furlong out.

Francie Barrett

Itziger wrote: »

But is the Gurkha a shirker??

Thought he was going to go and win it but didn't seem to fancy it about half a furlong out.

Gurkha downed tools as soon as it became clear it was going to win.