St Mark's Basilica ran out a brilliant winner of the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Park.
Only four went to post for the Group One feature – but it was a high-class quartet, and Champion Stakes winner Addeybb led them from the stalls.
The field moved in single file until things got more serious after turning for home, where Mishriff took a slight advantage.
But Ryan Moore had worked the French Guineas and Derby winner into a position to pounce – and once he asked Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-old to quicken the response was immediate.
Stretching clear, the heavily-backed even-money favourite won by three and a half lengths from Addeybb, with Mishriff another neck back in third.
What a race! 👀
— Sandown Park (@Sandownpark) July 3, 2021
The 3-year-old St Mark's Basilica battles before going clear under Ryan Moore, giving @Ballydoyle a 6th @coral Eclipse 🎉🏆 pic.twitter.com/KLtqwOdhrb
O'Brien said: "We couldn’t believe when Ryan asked him to quicken how well he did quicken. He quickens and has a great mind – he does everything.
"We felt he had stepped up since the last day and Ryan gave him a beautiful ride. I’m delighted for everybody.
"He’s a relaxed traveller and doesn’t use any energy. He comes on slowly and when you go for him he really turns it on. He has the mark of a special horse."
Asked about targets, the Ballydoyle trainer said: "The lads (Coolmore owners) will decide what they want to do, obviously he’d have options of maybe going to York (Juddmonte International) or Leopardstown (Irish Champion Stakes).
"I’d say something like that, depending on what the lads want to do.
"He’s a horse with a lot of pace and a lot of quality."
Of Addeybb, a delighted William Haggas said: "It was a fantastic run. He fought hard as usual and he’s a very consistent, genuine horse. When it’s slower ground they don’t quicken like that.
"The winner is obviously a very smart horse, but he fought back to beat Mishriff. It wouldn’t have suited him making the running, either. He needs a good gallop.
"He might go for the King George, but he needs soft ground."
Winner of the Saudi Cup and Dubai Sheema Classic, as well as last year’s French Derby, Mishriff could have a rematch with his Sandown conqueror at York.
John Gosden said: "He was just a bit keen early, it was his first run for a while and the ground is soft enough for him. I expect him to come on a good deal for that.
"We will head to the Juddmonte at York next, but the winner was very impressive."
