A Derby winner but beaten in the Eclipse - Peter Chapple-Hyam on the task facing City Of Troy at Sandown

David Carr talks to the trainers of two Derby winners whose fate is a warning to City Of Troy backers

The riderless Voyage leads home City Of Troy and the rest of the Betfred Derby field

History shows City Of Troy is no Eclipse certaintyCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

History has a warning for anyone tempted to plunge on City Of Troy at a best-priced 1-2 for Saturday's Coral-Eclipse.

The colt hailed by Aidan O'Brien as his best Derby winner will bid to become the third colt in the last 15 years to follow success in that race by beating older rivals at Sandown the following month, after Sea The Stars (2009) and Golden Horn (2015) both completed the double.

However, Motivator went on from his own stylish victory at Epsom to be beaten by Oratorio when sent off 2-5 favourite at Sandown in 2005. Two years later 4-7 shot Authorized, the only other 21st-century Derby winner to have his next race in the Eclipse, found Notnowcato too strong.

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David CarrReporter

Published on 2 July 2024inBritain

Last updated 20:57, 2 July 2024

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Derby winners can be beaten in the Eclipse - as Peter Chapple-Hyam and Michael Bell know only too well

David Carr talks to the trainers of two Derby winners whose fate is a warning to City Of Troy backers

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