Trainer John Gosden’s Roaring Lion landed the Eclipse on Saturday in an emphatic finish up the Sandown hill as he edged out old rival Saxon Warrior by a neck.
A day full of celebrations across the country and the Three lion’s song was roared from the crowd just before the stalls opened as many prepared for England’s quarter-final clash with Sweden.
Roaring Lion was to join the roll call of Nathaniel and Golden Horn to give trainer John Gosden a third success in seven years in the historic race.
He was held up off a swinging pace set by Hawkbill down the back straight, the leader had the field strung out by twelve to fifteen lengths after the first five furlongs but settled the pace turning for home. Roaring Lion only had Cliffs Of Moher behind at this stage and looked to have it all to do chartering a wide course around the home turn with a half a mile to travel. All was to change straightening up for home, however, as he came widest of all and travelling powerfully heading down to the final three furlongs, shaken up inside the two-furlong pole to mount an effort he only had Saxon Warrior in his sights to hunt down. He showed an impressive turn of foot to get on terms and eventually go by, to deny Aidan O’Brien a sixth Eclipse win.
A steward’s enquiry was called after the race as the 7/4f Roaring Lion was seen to edge to his right and interfere with the runner-up. He did come a long way off a true line taking Saxon Warrior over to the rail, but the result was to stand. The winning margin a neck, seemingly enough for BHA stewards to not reverse placing’s of the front two.
Happily was ultimately disappointing seemingly having no excuses when finishing fifth, along with Forest Ranger who was a big fancy for many well-educated punters. He paid the price for trying to live with the early pace of Hawkbill who ran a huge race to finish fourth. Cliffs Of Moher was seen a staying on third when finding trouble in running and may want a bit further in the future.
After re-watching the race many times it would seem that John Gosden’s charge always had the holding of the runner-up, on the visual effects he seemed more powerful, more determined and more willing to get the race won. A trait hard to find and just what you need in a classic horse, and this one could just be special. Before Saturday's race many people including myself were not quite convinced by the Dante winner and before the race 7/4f looked extremely short, he showed his class here however and proved many doubters wrong.
On a day where the atmosphere was through the roof, it was a fitting result as England were to go on to beat Sweden 2-0 in their quarter-final clash an send the country into a frenzy with hopes of reaching a World Cup Final.
There were simply 4 lions on what was a super Saturday and one to remember for all.
