It looks almost certain that Mecca’s Angel, the filly who I believe can give me my first Group 1 winner this season, will miss Sandown on Saturday.

As most people know, she was a very late withdrawal from the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot last month due to the fast conditions and it looks like it will be a similar story at Sandown.

I would have loved to show everyone what she can do in the Coral Charge. There is the odd patch of rain forecast but all the indications are that the ground will be too quick for her. The filly’s wellbeing comes first and it’s a long season.

It is a shame as she has won at this Group Three level twice before and looks the best horse in the race to me. If she doesn’t run, then the most likely winners are Waady, an improving course and distance winner, or Son Of Africa, another who is on the upgrade and was a good winner at Newmarket last month.

The likely plan now for Mecca’s Angel is the Sapphire Stakes at The Curragh on July 19 and then the Nunthorpe at York.

I have one other ride on Coral-Eclipse day. I don’t often ride for Karl Burke, so the call to ride You’re Fired was a little out of the blue, but looks a welcome one.

He was well fancied for the Royal Hunt Cup, when things didn’t go his way. He looks a fair horse on his day and Karl’s horses are running well. He looks to have a decent chance of some place money at least in the Coral Challenge.

As for the big race itself, the Coral-Eclipse, it has all the makings of being a very tactical affair and it will be interesting to see who makes the running. I’m not sure there are any natural pacesetters in a small field of five.

That said, Golden Horn looks very relaxed and therefore easy to ride. I am sure you could park him anywhere and he will be fine. The form of his Derby win has been boosted by Jack Hobbs winning the Irish Derby, and I can’t see anything other than an easy win for him.

I have two for the notebook. I partnered Plagiarism to victory at Newcastle on Saturday. She was very green when she hit the front but then ran all the way to the line and will improve a lot.

The other is Fendale, who was a tad unlucky at Thirsk on Wednesday. There should be a lot more to come from him.

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