Shergar - horse racing

It was a rather surprising decision for Connections to run the English Derby winner Erhaab in Saturday's Eclipse Stakes while the second and third placed horses went on to contest last weekend's Irish Derby at The Curragh. On the face of it, one might have imagined that the plans would have been reversed. Colonel Collins, in particular, looked on Epsom form as if the one and a quarter miles of the Eclipse might have suited him better. It may be that both he and Kings Theatre were simply seeking to avoid taking Erhaab on again.

The Irish result, with Kings Theatre and Colonel Collins again filling second and this position behind Balanchine, clearly franks the Epsom form. So Erhaab looks certain to start a short-priced favourite at Sandown this weekend. And he has frightened off most of the opposition. Despite dropping back in distance, Erhaab has shown that he has the speed to win.

Some promising juveniles are beginning to appear now that summer has arrived. Top of the list remains the Chapple-Hyam filly Myself. But the final event on the card at last Friday's Newmarket meeting saw encouraging debut runs by a couple of 2-year-old colts. The contest was actually won by Richard Hannon's Knight Commander, who had the benefit of a previous outing. He is expected to make a swift return to the course for next week's main July meeting. But it is also worth noting Pentire, trained by Geoffrey Wragg, and Otterbourne, from the John Gosden stable, who finished third and fourth respectively. Pentire was particularly strongly supported. Both should be winning soon.