rewrite this title Hollie Doyle blog: Constitution River can enhance his reputation in the Eclipse

Our ambassador Hollie Doyle reveals her thoughts on the key races at Sandown and Newmarket on Saturday, including the Coral-Eclipse – live on Sky Sports Racing – and highlights her horses to follow on a Classic weekend in Ireland.

Coral-Eclipse another Ballydoyle show

Constitution River’s victory in the French Derby was one of the performances of the season so far and I expect him to enhance his burgeoning reputation in the Group One Coral-Eclipse (3.35) at Sandown Park on Saturday.

It looks like becoming another Ballydoyle show with his exciting stable companion Hawk Mountain adding spice to the big Group One. Drawn in stalls three and two respectively, I expect them to dominate a race Aidan O’Brien has won nine times already.

Aidan’s son Donnacha takes on his father with the admirable A Boy Named Susie who certainly deserves to win a Group One but he’ll probably be left to pick up the pieces along with Gethin whose neck finish behind Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard over course and distance in May reads well.

Can’t see past Aussie mare in Charge

I really can’t see past Australian mare Asfoora in the Group Three Coral Charge (1.50) at Sandown. She took a step back in the right direction in the Group One King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot and has everything in her favour this time.

Henry Dwyer’s seven-year-old has Godolphin’s progressive sprinter Words Of Truth to beat following his re-appearance win in the Listed Scurry over course and distance. He gives me the strong impression he has more to offer at this level.

At a bigger price, don’t be surprised to see Jack Channon’s Getreadytorumble go well. He probably found the ground too lively behind Asfoora at the Royal Meeting but should be better suited by the underfoot conditions this time around.

The Secret’s out in fillies’ feature

The Listed Coral Distaff (3.00) at Sandown is an ideal stepping stone for Ralph Beckett’s unbeaten Secret Of Life who has the quality to make a smooth transition from novice company to stakes class for a trainer who excels with fillies.

She impressed me in the way she put the race at bed at Haydock Park on her latest start and the step up to a mile on this stiff track can help her bridge a big ratings gap with Pacific Mission.

Andrew Balding’s Breeders’ Cup runner-up is a worthy favourite but hasn’t progressed as well as expected in two runs this year, though she did have excuses in testing ground in the Princess Elizabeth at Epsom last month.

Guard looks value to reverse Hunt Cup form

Indalo will be a popular choice in the Coral Challenge Handicap (2.25) at Sandown after running so well in the Royal Hunt Cup. Roger Varian’s grey is already a course and distance winner and remains well treated after being nudged up just a pound for that effort.

However, I can see plenty of value in William Muir and Chris Grassick’s Ebt’s Guard who finished only half a length behind Indalo in the Royal Ascot cavalry charge from the opposite side of the track and re-opposes on slightly better terms.

Another interesting runner is Ralph Beckett’s Beagle Bay, a Sandown winner who looks progressive enough to overcome a five-pound rise to a new mark of 94 and should be firmly in the mix.

Globetrotting Tiffany has strongest Oaks claims

The Betway Lancashire Oaks (2.40) at Newmarket on Saturday isn’t the deepest renewal, which could be good news for Sir Mark Prescott’s admirably consistent mare Tiffany.

Since chasing home Kalpana in last season’s Fillies’ and Mares’ on Champions Day, Sir Mark’s six-year-old has gone close in top level company in Germany and made a pleasing return in Listed company in France.

The addition of a visor can give her the edge over Ralph Beckett’s Tattycoram who looked much improved in stakes company at Goodwood on her first start of the year but has a stone to find on these terms with Tiffany.

Leader looks class in Old Newton Cup

I’m expecting my husband Tom (Marquand) to win the Betway Old Newton Cup Handicap (3.15) at Newmarket on Saturday on William Haggas’s Klassleader.

He looked a colt going places when beating Sing Us A Song in Class Two company at York on his first start of the year – form that was upheld by the runner-up’s nice performance in the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Charlie Johnston, fresh from his Northumberland Plate success with Align The Stars, will be rightfully hopeful of a big run from Elsass, whose win at Hamilton was most impressive. He gets plenty of weight from Klassleader but needs to defy an eight-pound adjustment.

Recovery slow but positive

My recovery from the broken leg I sustained in that fall at Bath in May continues to be slow but positive. I’m visiting Oaksey House in Lambourn every day to work on my fitness in the gym, although I’m still limited in what I can do.

I’m also continuing with physio sessions to improve the mobility in my left.

Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.