Eclipse Likely for St Mark's Basilica

Last season's 2YO Dewhurst Stakes winner and subsequent dual Classic victor St. Mark's Basilica (Siyouni-Cabaret, by Galileo), trained by Aidan O'Brien, is now likely to line up for the Gr1 Coral Eclipse Stakes on Saturday-week. In just two appearances this season, the colt has won both the French 2000 Guineas and French Derby. Racingtv.com reports that despite plenty of uncertainty surrounding the make-up of the Eclipse field – eight runners are quoted at single figure odds in pre-post markets – O'Brien indicated St Mark's Basilica is likely to line up at Sandown. "I think at the moment we're happy to keep him at 10 furlongs (in the Eclipse), but obviously he could drop back. I think that's the sort of plan we're thinking of at the moment," said O'Brien who also has the Juddmonte and Irish Champion in mind for the valuable future stallion.