Constitution River will look to continue Aidan O’Brien’s excellent recent run of form when bidding for back-to-back Group 1’s in the Group 1 Coral Eclipse Stakes (2000m) at Sandown on Saturday.

O’Brien has enjoyed yet another memorable season with his Classic generation, winning the French, English and Irish Derby’s courtesy of victories from Constitution River, Christmas Day and Benvenuto Cellini.

It was Constitution River that kicked off O’Brien’s Derby treble when he took Chantilly’s Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) (2100m) in fine style, taking his record to two from two for the season having already created a notable impression when finishing seven lengths in front of subsequent Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes (2000m) winner Generic in the Listed Dee Stakes (2000m).

“He’s straightforward and his training has all gone well,” said O’Brien when speaking on the Nick Luck Daily Podcast.

“Everything is right with him, obviously a mile and a quarter should be fine for him, and he ran around a right-handed bend in Chantilly the last day, so that should be fine too. We’re just trying to give him a chance and be really sure everybody is happy with him really.”

The master of Ballydoyle could have a second string to his bow as he goes in search of a record-extending tenth Coral Eclipse Stakes, with Hawk Mountain still amongst the entries.

The son of Wootton Bassett was withdrawn from Sunday’s Group 1 157th Deutsches Derby (2400m) on Tuesday and may line up at Sandown after chasing home stablemate Constitution River in the aforementioned Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club (2100m).

Owen Burrows’ high-class Gethin looks likely to lead the home challenge following his excellent second-place finish to Group 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (2000m) winner Ombudsman in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes (2000m) on his reappearance.

Owned by Wathnan Racing, Gethin warmed up for his Group 1 assignment with what was described as a “routine piece of work” by Owen Burrows on Saturday.

The Roger Varian-trained Saddadd, who was third behind Almaqam and Bay City Roller in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup (2000m) at the Curragh last time, adds further depth, as does Donnacha O’Brien’s A Boy Named Susie, who was last seen finishing fourth to Constitution River in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club (2100m).

Photo: Healy Racing