Motivator and Shamardal set for showdown
Saturday’s potentially explosive encounter between Motivator and Shamardal in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown is set to go ahead after both were declared for the race today.
Michael Bell’s Epsom Derby hero and the French equivalent winner Shamardal have been dominating the betting for the Group One event and are set to clash in front of a possible record crowd at the suburban venue.
Eight horses have been left in the race, with the major absentee being the Aidan O’Brien-trained Powerscourt, fifth in last year’s renewal and around a 14-1 shot in the ante-post market.
The Ballydoyle handler will now be represented by Oratorio.
Godolphin have also pulled out ex-South African runner Grand Emporium who had been mooted as a possible pacemaker for Shamardal.
Italian raider Altieri and Luca Cumani’s Starcraft, third in the Queen Anne last time, have also been declared along with French challenger Diamond Green, the Richard Hannon-trained Hurricane Alan and Hazyview from the Neville Callaghan yard.
