Eydon back on familiar ground at Newmarket this weekend

Adam Morgan
October 31, 2024 2:19 pm

High-class five-year-old was fourth in the 2000 Guineas two years ago.

One-time Derby hope Eydon will return to the scene of his finest hour on Saturday attempting to build on his encouraging Ayr return in the German Group One Racecourses James Seymour Stakes.

The son of Make Believe thrived at Newmarket in the early stages of his career, winning the Feilden Stakes in 2022 and finishing fourth in the following month’s 2000 Guineas on the Rowley Mile when in the care of Roger Varian.

His career has been plagued by setbacks since, and now trained by Andrew Balding, he has made the track just twice since disputing Classic honours behind Coroebus.

Although finishing well held in the Winter Derby earlier in the year, there were much more positive signs at Ayr when beaten just half a length in the Doonside Cup in September.

He will now do battle once again at Listed level at Newmarket, where connections are hopeful he can make a long-awaited return to the winner’s enclosure as the joint-highest rated of the five engaged.

“Hector Crouch is going to ride and we’re hopeful. The owner has been really patient and we would love to see him continue for a bit and maybe bag something big,” said Ted Voute, racing adviser to Eydon’s Prince Faisal.

“It’s baby steps first and it would be nice to get another Listed race won and after that I think we would then wait until next year if everything went well.

“It will be slightly different ground than the Feilden but hopefully he might enjoy it, he’s the highest rated and we’re hoping for the best.”