Sea The Stars looks set to run on Saturday, but the weather remains a slight concern.(credit:
Charlesfred)
Punters will be watching carefully over the weather this Friday, as Sandown was hit by heavy rain on Thursday evening.
As a result, clerk of the course Andrew Cooper changed the going description to good, describing it as the equivalent as the ground was on Epsom Derby Day. The clerk also revealed that head had been in contact with favourite Sea The Stars to update him on the conditions ahead of the Coral-Eclipse on Saturday.
After being withdrawn from the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby due to the testing ground on Sunday, the trainer, and the horse’s backers, will be watching on carefully, although Andrew Cooper was optimistic that the coming forecast would not prove to be a hindrance to the Derby and Guineas winning hero.
He said: "I rang John Oxx first thing to put him in the picture, and I likened the ground to Epsom on Derby day. They'll be keeping an eye on conditions and John's travelling head groom will no doubt walk the course when he arrives, but I'm pleased to say that Sea The Stars was due to leave home at 8am and so is on his way now."
Looking at the weather forecast for the weekend, the clerk added: "The chances are we'll stay dry now for the next two days. It will be muggy and overcast, but I don't think there's much rain around."
Whatever the weather, most punters seem undeterred in their opinion over the likely winner of the race, and Sea The Stars’ price continues to shorten.
Coral-Eclipse: Head of the market (best odds)
Sea The Stars 8/11 (Ladbrokes)
Conduit 4/1 (bet365)
Rip Van Winkle 4/1 (PaddyPower)
Cima de Triomphe 10/1 (SkyBet)
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