O'Brien 'delighted' with second placed Winkle

RIP VAN WINKLE could try for a fourth time to inflict defeat on Sea The Stars after "delighted" trainer Aidan O'Brien revealed he would "absolutely" allow the Coral-Eclipse Stakes second to once again go into battle against his nemesis.

Having finished fourth to Sea The Stars in both the Stanjames.com 2,000 Guineas and Investec Derby, Rip Van Winkle, ridden by Jimmy Fortune in place of the suspended Johnny Murtagh,ran the race of his life to finish a valiant second to the sport's dominant three-year-old.

 

Indeed, for a few moments it looked as though revenge would be his, but after getting to within half a length of the dual Classic hero just inside the final furlong, he found Sea The Stars edging away for a one-length success.

Asked if Rip Van Winkle could tackle Sea The Stars again, O'Brien said: "Absolutely. Why not? He travelled great, but when Jimmy asked him to go, he said he felt very babyish and green.

"As everyone knows, he has had loads of problems all the way along. He had a hock problem a couple of days ago and we weren't even sure he was going to make it here, so we're delighted. He ran a great race and we're over the moon."

Four and a half lengths behind Rip Van Winkle was Conduit, who was unable to take a prominent early position and raced down the back straight in last.

Forced to make his challenge around the outside of the field, he stayed on to take third and is now a best-priced 3-1 with William Hill for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

"We're pleased with him, but I just feel that we've had him looking better. The King George will be his next race," said trainer Sir Michael Stoute, while rider Ryan Moore added: "Two out I thought he was coming to run them down, but the winner wasn't doing a lot and he kept going. I was happy and there'll be a bit more to come from him."