(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Third in the Epsom Derby (Gr1), Qatar Racing's Roaring Lion was running back over his preferred trip of 2,000m in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park yesterday.
Ridden in fifth by Oisin Murphy, John Gosden-trained colt made up a lot of ground on the straight. In the final 200m, he battled Saxon Warrior, drifting across onto his rival in the finish. The stewards opened an enquiry, but the result remained unchanged.
'Oisin rode him beautifully and very coolly. He got too far back, he knew that, and he didn't hurry to get back. It was a very good ride and I'm thrilled. I thought Saxon Warrior was magnificent, so all credit to Aidan O'Brien, Gosden said after the win.
'He ran beyond his trip (in the Derby) and we stood on the Downs right there and then and said ‘this horse goes for the Eclipse and comes back to a mile and a quarter'. Others seemed to join us on the idea late.
'It was very sad that the Derby winner (Masar, who was ruled out through injury on Friday) wasn't here as it would have been a phenomenal race if you had the Guineas and Derby winners and us. It would have been a right old ding-dong over a mile and quarter. He wasn't here, but we still got a hell of a race. We will freshen up and go to York (for the Juddmonte International). I'm sure we will see the second there and with some luck, we will see Masar there. That will be some horse race.
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