Opinion: Godolphin's Pacemaker Failure Cost Ombudsman Coral Eclipse Victory Godolphin's failure to deploy a pacemaker in the Coral Eclipse Stakes directly contributed to Ombudsman's defeat. That is according to Johnny Ward, speaking on this week’s Irish Angle YouTube show, claiming the tactical oversight handed victory to Aidan O'Brien's Delacroix. The John Gosden-trained Ombudsman went off favourite but was unable to cope with the lack of early pace in the Group 1 contest. Racing expert Johnny Ward, who correctly identified the pace scenario beforehand, argued that Godolphin's oversight was crucial to the outcome. "I was saying on the radio on Friday - there's not much pace on here, and this looks like a potential problem for Godolphin," Ward explained. "This is a race Godolphin lost as much as Ryan Moore won it." Ryan Moore's Tactical Masterclass The victory showcased Ryan Moore's tactical brilliance, with the champion jockey changing his plan multiple times during the race. Initially intending to ride Delacroix prominently, Moore changed his plan when unable to secure his desired position in the early stages. Emma Nagle, another panellist, noted that Moore had actually tried to convince O'Brien during the week that Delacroix was better suited to a mile rather than the longer trips he'd been contesting. "That's probably what makes him the best in the world - he can change things throughout a race and still get it right," she observed. Small Field Created Perfect Storm The small field and lack of natural pace created ideal conditions for the result, with Ward noting that "when you bring milers into the equation with mile-and-a-half horses at that mile-and-two trip, older horses against the classic generation," tactical decisions become crucial. A competent pacemaker would likely have ensured Ombudsman's victory in what was a compelling renewal of the Coral Eclipse. Check Out The Irish Angle Sponsor: AK BETS Watch The Full Irish Angle Show Below
