D-Day For Authorized

Peter Chapple-Hyam admits to feeling the nerves as Vodafone Derby hero Authorized prepares for his first test against older horses in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.

Cut in the ground is guaranteed at the Esher venue tomorrow, which will suit the red-hot favourite, but also the likes of the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Notnowcato, winner of last year's Juddmonte International and successful in the Tattersalls Gold Cup on his seasonal reappearance.

Assessing the opposition, Chapple-Hyam said: 'We will soon find out just how good we really are. With George Washington and Notnowcato as well as the other three-year-olds we will have to be on our mettle. But, as I said, I have been happy with Authorized's progress.'

And the Newmarket trainer is as sure as he can be he has his stable star in the kind of shape which saw him march to a brilliant five-length success in the premier Classic at Epsom last month.

He told www.peterchapplehyam.com: 'Everything is good as gold as far as the horse is concerned. I'm very happy with him.

'As far as the ground is concerned, I wouldn't want too much more rain. Coming back in trip should be fine ? he seems to have sharpened up mentally.

'As for myself, yes there are nerves. But I just want the horse to win for himself and everyone connected to him.'

Notnowcato had to settle for third on his last outing, which came in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, but Stoute is upbeat about his chance.

He said: 'My horse is in great shape, but the Derby winner looks very good. George Washington is trying a mile and a quarter again so it is a good race.

'Saying that, I think my horse has a great each-way chance and I will be disappointed if he's not in the first three.

'My horse is just as good this year as he was last year and he is probably running to about the same mark.

'He won the Tattersalls well on ground that suited. He beat Dylan Thomas that day and the third horse was three or four lengths back, and I don't think he gets the credit he deserves.

'The ground will suit my fellow, but it will suit the favourite too.

'Three-year-olds have to be good to win the race ? it is tough for them, but this three-year-old (Authorized) could be an exception.'

Aidan O'Brien is responsible for four of the eight runners, with his leading chance on paper appearing to be the Seamus Heffernan-ridden George Washington.

Last weekend's Irish Derby-winning jockey takes over from regular partner Mick Kinane, who will be aboard Vodafone Derby 10th Admiralofthefleet, with Colm O'Donoghue partnering Archipenko while Fran Berry takes the ride on Yellowstone.

Having proved unsuccessful at stud, George Washington had his first start of the season when staying on strongly into fourth in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.

The four-year-old tackled this weekend's 10-furlong trip for the first time when sixth in the Breeders' Cup Classic last autumn, and O'Brien does not expect the longer distance to be a problem for his mercurial colt.

However, he will check on ground conditions at the Esher track before deciding if all four of his runners go to post.

O'Brien said of George Washington: 'He is in great form. He came out of Ascot well and has done a couple of pieces of work since then, which we have been very happy with.

'We were worried when we took him into the parade ring at Ascot as we didn't know what to expect with him, having been away at stud, but he behaved well and took it on the chin.

'He was very fresh during the early part of the race but was staying on late, as he did at Goodwood last year after a break.'

Clive Brittain believes his globetrotting contender Kandidate should not be underestimated.

The five-year-old has not been seen since finishing fifth in the Singapore Airlines International Cup but is reportedly bouncing ahead of his latest challenge.

'I love these two-horse races as it looks as though there are two horses in the race and nothing else there,' Brittain told At The Races.

'But let them be there as he (Kandidate) has never been in better form than he is at the moment.

'It wouldn't be the wildest thing for me to go and win it.'

(C) PA Sport