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
Leader Live
34 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Ombudsman leads the way in Eclipse for the ages
All eyes will be on Ombudsman after his brilliant Prince of Wales's Stakes victory at Royal Ascot, although John and Thady Gosden's four-year-old faces a serious test. Leading the opposition is Sosie for French master Andre Fabre, while Aidan O'Brien runs beaten Derby favourite Delacroix, who is the choice of Ballydoyle number one Ryan Moore, and French Derby hero Cammille Pissaro, who will be reunited with Christophe Soumillon. Hotazhell, winner of the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster last year, takes his chance for Jessica Harrington and is a third Irish raider making the visit to Esher. Charlie Appleby has opted to run his 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court, who completes the sextet stepping up to 10 furlongs for the first time and will be partnered by Oisin Murphy, with Godolphin number one William Buick pledging his allegiance to Ombudsman.
South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Ombudsman leads the way in Eclipse for the ages
All eyes will be on Ombudsman after his brilliant Prince of Wales's Stakes victory at Royal Ascot, although John and Thady Gosden's four-year-old faces a serious test. Leading the opposition is Sosie for French master Andre Fabre, while Aidan O'Brien runs beaten Derby favourite Delacroix and French Derby hero Cammille Pissaro. Hotazhell, winner of the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster last year, takes his chance for Jessica Harrington and is a third Irish raider making the visit to Esher. Charlie Appleby has opted to run his 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court, who completes the sextet stepping up to 10 furlongs for the first time and will be partnered by Oisin Murphy, with Godolphin number one William Buick pledging his allegiance to Ombudsman.
North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Ombudsman leads the way in Eclipse for the ages
All eyes will be on Ombudsman after his brilliant Prince of Wales's Stakes victory at Royal Ascot, although John and Thady Gosden's four-year-old faces a serious test. Leading the opposition is Sosie for French master Andre Fabre, while Aidan O'Brien runs beaten Derby favourite Delacroix and French Derby hero Cammille Pissaro. Hotazhell, winner of the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster last year, takes his chance for Jessica Harrington and is a third Irish raider making the visit to Esher. Charlie Appleby has opted to run his 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court, who completes the sextet stepping up to 10 furlongs for the first time and will be partnered by Oisin Murphy, with Godolphin number one William Buick pledging his allegiance to Ombudsman.
