10-1 Offered About George Washington As Authorized Clash Looks Unlikely NOT content with riding a horse and cart through the best laid plans of Wimbledon spectators, it now appears the unseasonable weather is set to rob horseracing fans of one of the most eagerly anticipated clashes of recent years. According to the latest Betfair betting moves, George Washington looks unlikely to square-up to the impressive Epsom Derby winner, Authorized, in Saturday´s Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. The first signs of a possible change in running plans began to emerge on Tuesday morning, with George Washington´s odds drifting, both on Betfair and with several high-street bookmakers. He had been a 3-1 shot on Betfair at that point but his odds quickly raced through the 9-2 mark. With more rain forecast for the Esher track, punters on the leading betting exchange are now prepared to offer 10-1 about the former champion miler lowering the colours of Peter Chapple?Hyam´s star colt. The colt´s trainer, Aidan O´Brien, has confirmed that both George Washington and Duke of Marmalade could sidestep Saturday´s big race, with connections monitoring the weather situation carefully. As punters continue to oppose the Ballydoyle first-string, they have come in for Authorized and indeed for Sir Michael Stoute´s Notnowcato. Authorized has hardened into 1-2 on Betfair, with Notnowcato trading at 7-1 (from 11-1). In light of O´Brien´s comments regarding his supposed first and second string, Betfair punters have shortened-up O´Brien´s other significant entries, with both Archipenko (20-1) and Admiralofthefleet (20-1) well supported today. Further heavy rainfall is not deemed a threat to their participation. Commenting on the latest market moves, Betfair´s Eoin Ryan said: 'With the front page of today´s Racing Post flagging-up George Washington as a possible non-runner on Saturday, it has been a busy morning of trade on Betfair. George Washington´s odds are fluctuating dramatically and he´s a huge negative in the market now. Punters clearly believe he won´t turn up at Sandown on Saturday and that even if he does, he´ll get glued to the rain softened ground.´´ Sandown´s Coral Eclipse Stakes ? Betfair bet: 1-2 Authorized, 7-1 Notnowcato, 10-1 George Washington, 20-1 Archipenko, 20-1 Admiralofthefleet, 28-1 Lucarno, 50-1 Duke of Marmalade, Others 100-1 +
