Connections of White Birch elect to play it safe and swerve Eclipse
'White Birch is not going to run, it's looking like they will have proper good to firm ground at Sandown,' said George Murphy, who is assistant to his father.
'We made the decision good ground would be the quickest we would run him on, so it's not ideal for Saturday.'
White Birch made a pleasing start to the season by finishing second to Los Angeles in the Mooresbridge Stakes before an unlucky fourth to the same rival when defending his Tattersalls Gold Cup crown.
However, he also missed Royal Ascot for the second year running when quick conditions ruled him out of the Prince of Wales's Stakes, connections are now minded to hit the pause button ahead of a late-season campaign on more suitable going.
Murphy added: 'We'll chat to the owners but it is more than likely we will give him an easy time now and wait for the end of the summer/start of autumn when we're more likely to get a little ease in the ground.
'It's been pretty quick for a while now, but he's in good shape and we just want to look after him.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
23 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Cosmic Year expected to shine in Prix Jean Prat outing
After skipping Royal Ascot, it is time for Cosmic Year to step into the spotlight, as Harry Charlton's star performer aims to sparkle in Deauville's Prix Jean Prat. Part of an outstanding group of three-year-olds assembled by leading owners Juddmonte, he was last seen chasing home Field of Gold in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and now reverts to seven furlongs seeking his own top-level success. Charlton said: 'He's in good form, we gave him a little break after Ireland as we knew we weren't going to Royal Ascot due to Juddmonte's team of other horses, so we've kind of been targeting this race since the Curragh and he's been moving great. He seems in good nick and we're very happy with him. 'I hope he's still got lots more to come, we're still learning about him as he's obviously come into this year very inexperienced. 'I'd be happy to run a mile again but seven furlongs is perfect for him, he's done most of his racing at seven and he's a quick horse. He has the speed for seven furlongs but I do think he gets the mile.' Charlton saw Juddmonte hotpot Kikkuli turned over in this Group One event 12 months ago but is taking plenty of encouragement from Curragh conqueror Field Of Gold's dazzling display in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, which gives a timely polish to Cosmic Year's fine run in Ireland. He added: 'Ireland was a slightly odd race for us as we probably got a little further back than we wanted and then it was kind of done and dusted and Field Of Gold is a very good horse who put the race to bed before we got going really. 'It's exciting if he can improve from that and it should give him a great chance of figuring on Sunday.' While Cosmic Year was seen just the once as a two-year-old, Charlie Appleby's Shadow Of Light was busy making a name for himself by winning both the Middle Park and Dewhurst Stakes in the autumn. Upped to a mile for his return, he was beaten a length by stablemate Ruling Court when third in the 2000 Guineas and having since finished fifth in the Commonwealth Cup over six furlongs at Royal Ascot, he splits the difference by returning to his Dewhurst-winning distance. Appleby told 'The drop back in trip and quick ground caught out Shadow Of Light in the Commonwealth Cup, but he came out of the race in great nick. 'Stepping back up to seven furlongs is a positive, and hopefully the ground at Deauville will be a bit more forgiving. We will be on weather watch and a decision will be made on the day after we have had a look at the ground. 'I can't fault his preparation going into this and feel he is the horse to beat if he can run up to anywhere near the form of his Guineas third.' Further British and Irish interest is provided by Aidan O'Brien's one-time Derby hope The Lion In Winter, who drops back in trip significantly after disappointing in the premier Classic at Epsom. Meanwhile, Christopher Head's Maranoa Charlie will run in the colours of Bond Thoroughbreds after the Yorkshire operation purchased the son of Wootton Bassett following his recent Prix Paul de Moussac win at Saint-Cloud. Christophe Ferland's Silius has finished second to Maranoa Charlie the last twice, with Francis-Henri Graffard's Woodshauna also a live hope for the home team having accounted for Harry Eustace's Royal Ascot heroine Time For Sandals in the Prix Texanita.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Los Angeles Dodgers humiliated by the Houston Astros as they suffer heaviest home defeat 60 years
The Los Angeles Dodgers were humiliated on Friday night, suffering their worst-ever defeat at their own stadium. Shohei Ohtani and the defending World Series champions were obliterated 18-1 by the Houston Astros in the series opener of a matchup between two division leaders. Jose Altuve hit two home runs for the Astros while reaching base five times and driving in five runs. The stunned Dodgers were held to just five hits and Will Smith 's solo home run. It was not a night without controversy, either. Dodgers fans relentlessly booed Altuve throughout his at-bats, chanting 'Cheater! Cheater!' He's one of two players, along with pitcher Lance McCullers Jr., remaining from Houston's 2017 team that beat the Dodgers in the World Series. It later came out that the Astros were stealing signs with the help of video and relaying pitches to batters by banging on a trash can. The Astros took complete control with a 10-run sixth inning that included a grand slam by Victor Caratini and a three-run shot from Altuve, his second homer of the game. Houston's Christian Walker added another home run, giving him a six-game homer streak at Dodger Stadium dating back to last season when he was a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Walker has eight home runs against the Dodgers in that stretch. Houston finished the game with 11 extra-base hits en route to its ninth win in 11 games. Caratini had two doubles in addition to his slam, and Altuve and Jake Meyers added three hits apiece. Smith's home run was the only bright spot for the Dodgers, who lost for just the second time in 11 games. Los Angeles starter Ben Casparius gave up six runs on nine hits and no walks in three innings. He struck out three. Reliever Noah Davis was rocked for 10 runs in just over one innings. Isaac Paredes gave a sign of what was to come when he opened the game by hitting a first-pitch fastball into the left-field seats. Altuve doubled later in the inning and scored on a Walker single. Smith's home run in the second inning got the Dodgers within 2-1 before the Astros scored four times in the third on a pair of two-run home runs from Altuve and Walker. The offensive eruption in the sixth was the Astros' first 10-run inning since June 2022 against the Chicago White Sox. It was the first time the Dodgers gave up double digits in an inning since the St. Louis Cardinals scored 11 in a 1999 game. Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. gave up one run on four hits over six innings and cruised despite allowing four walks. He fanned four. McCullers stayed in the game after taking a 96.1 mph line drive from Ohtani off his left heel in the third. It was his second start since returning from a right foot sprain. Houston right-hander Jason Alexander pitched scoreless ball over the final three innings for the first save of his career, which spans 24 appearances.
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Novak Djokovic showed true colours with message to Kate Middleton at Wimbledon
The Princess of Wales gave out the trophies after the Wimbledon men's final last year between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic in one of her first public engagements since her cancer diagnosis Novak Djokovic sent a heartfelt message of support to Kate Middleton after meeting the Princess of Wales at Wimbledon. Having lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the men's final for the second year in succession in July 2024, Djokovic was presented with the runner-up trophy by the princess, who is a patron of the All England Club. It was just her second public engagement since announcing her cancer diagnosis in March that year. Kate, who was undergoing chemotherapy at the time, had attended the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London the previous month. After losing in straight sets to Alcaraz, Djokovic was buoyed to see Her Royal Highness looking so well. He also spoke of his respect for the Royal Family and their support of tennis. 'Yes, it was of course a privilege to be in her presence again,' said Djokovic when asked what he had said to Kate. 'I've said to her that it is very nice to see her in good health. She seems to be in good health. 'That's obviously very positive news for everyone in this country but also for Wimbledon, for Championships to have Her Royal Highness here, of course with her family members. It's amazing. 'It's incredible support they've been giving over the years to this tournament. I know that she and her sister [Pippa] have played tennis for a very long time. 'So they truly respect, admire the game. They also understand tennis, which is great. It's wonderful to have that kind of support from the Royal Family.' Djokovic will have been delighted to hear in January that Kate was in remission from cancer. Since then, she has been making a gradual return to public duties. Kate recently missed Royal Ascot for the second successive year as she sought the right balance following her treatment. Her appearances have increased in recent weeks. She has attended three high-profile events, including Trooping the Colour, the annual Order of the Garter service and a visit to a V&A storage facility in London. Meanwhile, Djokovic remains in the hunt for his eighth Wimbledon title and 25th Grand Slam crown after seeing off Briton Dan Evans in straight sets in the second round. Despite being 38, the Serbian icon isn't thinking about joining former 'big three' rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in retirement. 'I don't pause to reflect, to be honest. I don't have time,' said Djokovic, who faces fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic on third round on Saturday. 'I would like to. But I think that's going to come probably when I set the racket aside and then sip margaritas on the beach with Federer and Nadal and just reflect on our rivalry and everything. 'If I play like today, I feel like I have a very good chance against anybody, really, on the Centre Court of Wimbledon, a place where I maybe feel the most comfortable on any court. 'I felt great physically, mentally sharp. Game-wise, I'm playing as well as I can, really, on grass. So hopefully I can keep it up. My aspirations and objectives are very high – to go all the way.'
