Ombudsman leads Timeform ratings ahead of Coral-Eclipse showdown at Sandown
Impressive Prince of Wales's Stakes winner Ombudsman is 5lb clear on Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday.
Ombudsman, who was making his first start in Group 1 company at Royal Ascot, was short of room in the straight, but he produced a superb turn of foot when in the clear to settle the outcome in a matter of strides, ultimately beating last season's Champion Stakes winner Anmaat by two lengths.
That earned Ombudsman a Timeform master rating of 130, marking him out as a top-class performer and the pick of those in Europe aged four or older. The three-year-old Field of Gold (132p), who like Ombudsman is trained by John and Thady Gosden, is the highest-rated horse in Europe following his superb display in the St James's Palace Stakes.
Ruling Court was a laboured third in the St James's Palace Stakes but had produced a very smart display when winning the 2000 Guineas on his previous outing and he comes out second on Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings for the Eclipse.
Ruling Court is part of a four-strong challenge from the classic generation that also includes Camille Pissarro, Delacroix, and Hotazhell. The four-year-olds in the line-up are Ombudsman and French challenger Sosie, who has won both starts in Group 1 company this season.
Tony McFadden, deputy racing editor at Timeform and Sporting Life, said: "Ombudsman announced himself on the Group 1 scene in spectacular fashion at Royal Ascot and that piece of form marks him out as the one to beat in the Coral-Eclipse.
"He is Timeform's highest-rated older horse in Europe, narrowly above Coronation Cup one-two Jan Brueghel and Calandagan."
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