Rip Van Winkle: "gave himself a knock on his hock on Thursday"

  PICTURE: Caroline Norris  

Rip Van Winkle to run in Eclipse despite late scare

RIP VAN WINKLE will take his chance in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on Saturday despite a slight scare revealed by the Galileo colt's trainer Aidan O'Brien on Friday morning.

O'Brien said: "Rip Van Winkle gave himself a bit of a knock on the inside of a hock on Thursday. We were a bit concerned, but we were happier with him this morning. He cantered and seemed okay, so we're happy enough to let him run."

Rip Van Winkle will be clashing with Derby winner Sea The Stars for the third time this season when he attempts to give O'Brien his fifth win in the Group 1 Sandown event. The Ballydoyle colt finished fourth behind Sea The Stars in both the Stan James 2,000 Guineas and the Investec Derby.