Authorized ‘better than before the Derby’

PETER Chapple-Hyam is oozing a quiet confidence that Vodafone Derby winner Authorized will hold his own against his elders and enhance his sky-high reputation in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.

Although acknowledging the fact none of the last four winners of the premier Classic subsequently won a race, he has the utmost faith in his Montjeu colt, who dished out an impressive five-length beating on the Epsom Downs last month under Frankie Dettori.

Chapple-Hyam said: “Derby winners might not have gone on the last few years, but it is such a hard race and horses have to be so wound up for it and they are often over the top afterwards.