No Classic double bid for Masar

Masar won't be heading to the Irish Derby and will instead contest the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, trainer Charlie Appleby has confirmed.

The Godolphin colt won the Derby at Epsom earlier this month and had been expected to attempt to land a Classic double at the Curragh.

Appleby has now revealed the three-year-old will drop back in trip to 10 furlongs for the Group One at Sandown, although he has not completely ruled out a tilt at the Irish Derby just yet either.

“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and I discussed Masar's programme at length and have reached the conclusion that the Eclipse will suit him best,” Appleby told www.godolphin.com.

“We will leave him in the Irish Derby, just to keep all options open. But the intention is to run in the Eclipse.

“Masar has won at Sandown [the Solario Stakes in September 2017], showing that he acts well on the track and dropping back in trip will be no problem – he won the Craven Stakes and finished third in the 2000 Guineas. He's got plenty of speed.”