ESWARAH
ESWARAH can shock the big boys and bring some sparkle
to Newbury tomorrow.
The Classic-winning filly has been one of the
forgotten horses during the build up to the King George
VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, but she has the
class to reign supreme in the race regarded as summer’s
middle distance championship.
Eswarah did not set foot on the track until April,
but has quickly established herself as the best of her
generation. She achieved enough in two contests at
Newbury — one a recognised Oaks trial — to be sent off
as favourite for the Epsom classic.
It was a position she fully justified. Travelling
well at the top of the hill, she burst clear under
Richard Hills and had all bar runner-up Something
Exciting gasping entering the final two furlongs.
Michael Jarvis’s three-year-old then showed exceptional
battling qualities, just like her dam Midway Lady, to
pull clear again when that rival threatened.
The bare form of that race has taken some knocks.
Fourth home Pictavia was beaten out of sight in the
Irish equivalent and Something Exciting was fourth at
York two weeks later. But Pictavia’s run was simply too
bad to be true, while Something Exciting probably needed
more time to recover after her exertions at Epsom.
She may have already enjoyed Classic success, but with
only three runs behind her Eswarah should still be
progressive and can be relied upon to improve further.
At 6-1, she looks the value in a high-quality renewal.
Azarnour is favourite based on his victory in the Prince
of Wales’s Stakes at York. But odds of 2-1 are plenty
short enough when even trainer John Oxx is unsure if he
will stay 12 furlongs. It is also easy to oppose Arc
winner Bago, who has been below par on his last two
starts.
Eswarah may have most to fear from Grey Swallow, last
year’s Irish Derby hero and a Group One winner at the
Curragh in May.It may also be worth siding with Peter
Paul Rubens, who returns to his favoured distance of
seven furlongs in
the £150,000 totesport International Stakes.
Following an impressive three-year-old career that saw
him notch up a hat-trick of wins, Peter Paul Rubens has
been out of luck in two starts this term.
But both of those came over six furlongs and he put up
an eye-catching performance when third to Iffraaj
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