Eclipse no two-horse race, says Bell
The trainer gave Motivator a spin up Warren Hill at Newmarket yesterday and reports the Vodafone Derby winner to be in great shape for the Group One contest.
“He did his last main piece of work last Friday. Since then he’s been doing routine canters and went up Warren Hill this morning,” he said.
“Basically he’s very fit and he’s in very good form.”
Bell is happy that seasoned Group One campaigners like Starcraft and Altieri are taking on his superstar at Sandown.
Former Australian ace Starcraft, now trained in Newmarket by Luca Cumani, has been confirmed a definite starter, while the seven-year-old Altieri is on his way to England from Milan.
Bell said: “It’s good that a horse of the calibre of Starcraft is going to take part.
“I think the press are wrong building it up as a two-horse race. There are some very good horses in there. The Italian horse is coming over, I believe, and he’s got good form too.”
Philip Robinson has been booked to partner Starcraft at the behest of owner Paul Makin.
Makin did not want to take a chance on the fitness of Darryll Holland, who rode him last time.
