Oratorio Eclipses Motivator
Motivator lost his unbeaten record in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown today as Oratorio collared the Derby winner in the shadow of the post.
The Michael Bell-trained Epsom hero was sent off the 2-5 favourite and all looked well as Johnny Murtagh kicked for home with two furlongs to run.
But Oratorio (12-1), who had been pushed along for some way by Kieren Fallon, found another gear and stayed on relentlessly to score by half a length.
Motivator took a keen hold early on before settling behind the front-running Hazyview.
The pace slowed, but Motivator was right where his supporters would have wanted him turning for home.
He had everything on the stretch when he quickened, but surprisingly he failed to go clear in the manner expected as Oratorio, who had been miles behind him in the Derby, responded to Fallon’s urgings.
Italian raider Altieri ran a blinder in third, a further two and a half lengths away.
