O'Brien is eyeing Eclipse

Aidan O'Brien yesterday gave an upbeat bulletin about Giant's Causeway ahead of a possible tilt at Sandown's Coral-Eclipse Stakes…

Aidan O'Brien yesterday gave an upbeat bulletin about Giant's Causeway ahead of a possible tilt at Sandown's Coral-Eclipse Stakes on Saturday.

The double Guineas runner-up and Royal Ascot winner is a 6 to 1 shot for the Group One 10-furlong contest and O'Brien reported a good workout for the Storm Cat colt yesterday.

"He worked very well and we are seriously considering the race," O'Brien said, and he

added that he isn't unduly perturbed by a poor weather forecast. "I'd prefer it didn't rain as the horse is such a good mover, but we'll decide later in the week."

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The Epsom Derby runner-up, Sakhee, is a best priced 5 to 2 Eclipse favourite, with the Epsom third, Beat Hollow, and his stable companion, Shiva, also intended runners.

The four flat races on the first evening of the Bellewstown meeting are Ballydoyle-free and that can pay off for Eddie Lynam in the two-year-old race.

The Co Dublin trainer has had his share of juvenile success already this season, and Stokesie showed enough when leading Beckett to the furlong pole at Leopardstown to suggest he will be suited by the minimum trip.

The form of Pipisflying's debut, when a short head off Conormara, got a fine boost by Conormara's Curragh win at the weekend; while Taranges showed just enough behind Montecastillo at Leopardstown to give him a shout in the mile maiden.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column