Medicean swoops late to Eclipse rivals

Medicean silenced any doubts about his stamina to land a memorable running of the Coral Eurobet Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park.  

The mile-and-a-quarter contest was run at a tremendous gallop throughout with Godolphin's pacemaker Broche, setting off in front.

As Broche capitulated it was Grandera who hit the front at the two-furlong pole from Irish challenger Bach - but Medicean was starting to close.

And the fast early pace told as Grandera and Bach were able to give no more in the final strides.

And Medicean flew past on the outside to score by half a length at 7-2 with Grandera (8-1) holding off Bach (20-1) by a neck for the runner-up spot.

Tobougg, the 9-4 favourite was a never-nearer fourth with dual Group One winner Black Minnaloushe similarly never able to land a blow one place further back.

Medicean was providing trainer Sir Michael Stoute with his fourth winner of the race after Opera House (1993), Ezzoud (1994) and Pilsudski (1997) and Kieren Fallon with his first Eclipse.