Muddling pace blamed for Motivator defeat

Trainer Michael Bell believes the “muddling pace” in Saturday’s Coral-Eclipse Stakes could have been responsible for Motivator suffering his first defeat.

The Vodafone Derby winner went to post the 2-5 favourite for the Sandown feature following his highly-impressive victory at Epsom last month.

But after hitting the front with over a quarter of a mile to go in the 10-furlong Group One contest, Motivator was collared close home and beaten half a length by Oratorio.