Regime set for the Eclipse

/ Editor / 04 June 2007 / Leave a Comment

Trainer Michael Bell has found no real excuses for his colt Regime, who finished a finished a most disappointing thirteenth in the Derby despite being quietly fancied by connections.

"He may just have tweaked something in the race, but fortunately he was fine on Sunday," revealed Bell, previously successful in the mile-and-a-half Group 1 Classic with Motivator in 2005.

"He has an entry in the Eclipse and won the Classic trial over course and distance. However, I will have to discuss that option with the owners (Highclere Thoroughbred Racing XL)," added the Newmarket handler.

Should they decide to go for the mile-and-quarter Eclipse, due to be run at Sandown on July 7, Regime is quite likely to once again come up against the emphatic Derby winner Authorized, who also has the Irish Derby and King George as potential future targets.

Trading has so far been light for the Eclipse in Betfair's ante-post market with Authorized unsurprisingly installed as a warm 2.26 market leader, while Regime is available at 30.