Constitution River and Hawk Mountain both set for Eclipse chance Aidan O’Brien has revealed both Constitution River and Hawk Mountain are poised to run in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday. Plans for the Ballydoyle pair have been the subject of speculation all week, especially when Hawk Mountain, a Group One-winning juvenile, was supplemented for the German Derby. However, he was subsequently taken out of that Hamburg engagement, attracting plenty of support for Sandown’s all-aged Group One in which O’Brien is chasing a record 10th victory. Money for Hawk Mountain saw French Derby winner Constitution River drift slightly in the betting, but speaking on Wednesday afternoon O’Brien said his duo, who finished first and second at Chantilly, are set to meet again. “It looks like they are both going to run,” O’Brien told the Press Association. “It’s exciting for everybody, they’ve followed a similar programme all year. “Everything has been good with the pair of them since they ran in the French Derby and the Eclipse looks the right race for both of them.” Having been available at a double-figure price earlier in the week, Hawk Mountain is now into 5-1 with the sponsors. His Classic-winning stablemate is their 5-4 favourite with Gethin 11-4 and Saddadd 4-1. “Both Constitution River and Hawk Mountain have attracted support this week, so it’s good news for their backers that both colts will be lining up in Saturday’s Coral-Eclipse, giving trainer Aidan O’Brien a really strong hand as he bids for a record-breaking fourth successive win in the race,” said spokesperson David Stevens.
