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IT’S the afternoon for the first match-up between the classic generation and the older horses with the brilliant mid-summer Group One, the Eclipse Stakes (first run in 1886) which has produced both some amazing races and top-class winners, but has also been blighted by small fields, especially in the past 20 years.

Although we undoubtedly have a high-class field today, there could be a distinct lack of pace, with possibly, and only possibly, the strong staying Alenquer a likely speed angle. That is the reason that I am hugely surprised that several connections hadn’t bothered to supplement a pacemaker after they knew that Aidan O’Brien would be bypassing the race completely with his original three entries.

Bay Bridge was impressive when winning the Brigadier Gerard Stakes over the course and distance, but he chased a very solid pace that day, and then Ryan Moore made the most of his guaranteed stamina by hitting the front a furlong and a half out before drawing clear. The son of New Bay didn’t have the benefit of such a strong pace at Ascot to chase when simply outpaced by a Cox Plate winner who dominated out in front at his own speed.