Sandown's Coral-Eclipse: Aidan O'Brien's Constitution River oozes class in victory stroll under Ryan Moore
Prix du Jockey Club winner Constitution River proved a class above the rest with a perfect performance in Sandown's feature Coral-Eclipse on Saturday; away from Esher, Tattycoram ran out the winner of the Lancashire Oaks
Saturday 4 July 2026 17:19, UK
Constitution River further enhanced his growing reputation with a dominant display in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
Having won two of his three juvenile starts, the Wootton Bassett colt blew his rivals away on his reappearance in Chester's Dee Stakes and the decision to head to France for his Derby bid paid off as he led home a Ballydoyle one-two-three in the Prix du Jockey Club five weeks ago.
Aidan O'Brien also fielded the Chantilly runner-up Hawk Mountain and the pacesetting Flushing Meadows in his bid for a 10th Eclipse success, but it was all about one horse, with 8/11 favourite Constitution River turning on the after burners once given his head to pull three lengths clear of the chasing pack under Ryan Moore.
Donnacha O'Brien's French Derby fourth A Boy Named Susie improved on that result with a strong-finishing effort to grab second, with Hawk Mountain third.
Aidan O'Brien said: "We're over the moon with him, we've always thought the world of him and I'm so delighted for everybody. We feel he's a special horse and always did.
"The lads will decide what happens with him but, he'll have no problem dropping back to a mile, staying at a mile and a quarter or going up to a mile and a half.
"I asked Ryan and he said you can go wherever you want - he doesn't think he's ridden a better horse. We're delighted and all options are open.
"He's heavier today than he's ever been and Ryan said he had to move a little bit earlier than he wanted. He's maturing and he's a big, scopey proper physical.
"The Juddmonte and the Irish Champion Stakes are there for him but the lads will decide and the great thing with this horse is they can do whatever they want.
"He's so special all the way and we felt that we hadn't seen the bottom of him. He loves racing, he's classy and pacey and we're delighted with him."
Paddy Power made Constitution River 5-2 to win the Juddmonte International at York and Ryan Moore believes 10 furlongs is the perfect trip for the son of Wootton Bassett for now.
Moore said: "He's unbeaten at 10 furlongs and looks very comfortable at 10.
"We're still learning a little bit about him and the pace was strong. He wasn't off the bridle and obviously there were horses coming back and then once you're out you're in front earlier than what you needed to be.
"He was a little bit idle and I think when I gave him a couple of smacks he responded and was always in command of the race.
"I think he's a proper horse and he has a deep pedigree. He's a good looking horse and looked magnificent beforehand."
Tattycoram lands Lancashire Oaks
Tattycoram confined perennial bridesmaid Tiffany to the runner-up spot yet again in the Betway Lancashire Oaks at Newmarket.
Having been placed in four consecutive outings at Group One level before filling the runner-up spot on her seasonal debut in France three weeks ago, the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Tiffany looked to have been found an excellent opportunity to claim her first victory in almost two years in the hands of Luke Morris.
A 5/4 favourite for a Group Two contest transferred to the July course due to ongoing ground issues at Haydock, the six-year-old was soon bowling along in front in a first-time visor and Morris kicked for home with two furlongs to run in an attempt to draw the finish out of his rivals.
But Ralph Beckett's 11/2 shot Tattycoram, making her first appearance since winning a Listed prize at Goodwood at the start of May, was stronger at the finish under Eddy Greatrex and really asserted late on, with four-and-a-half lengths the winning margin in a course-record time.
Speaking from Sandown, Beckett said: "It was a good effort. She was a filly we finished early last year hoping she would develop from three to four and it looks like that is the case.
"She went into a little dip after winning the Daisy Warwick [at Goodwood], hence the two-month break, but I was easy about that and this was always a race that I felt would set up well for her.
"She's a good filly and we'll go straight to the Yorkshire Oaks, I would imagine."
Prescott was not making any excuses for the vanquished favourite, saying: "Mr Sangster's filly (owner of Miss Justice) was exactly the same distance or slightly further behind us today than she was in Chantilly last time, so the available form is she's run to form, but I suppose when you're six you're not coming forward any more.
"She's still very good, but not quite good enough. I think she'd be better with a tiny bit [of cut in the ground], but I don't put that as an excuse, just that beastly Mr Beckett has gone past us!"
