Falbrav rebounds to win Group 1 Eclipse

A bumping incident within the first furlong cost Falbrav any chance of winning last month's Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. The 5-year-old Falbrav rebounded from that disappointing fifth-place finish to upset Nayef in Saturday's Group 1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park.

Sent off at 8-1, Falbrav sat off the early pace set by Izdiham while racing along the rail. Jockey Darryll Holland asked Falbrav to move with about two furlongs remaining in the 1 1/4-mile race and he sprinted to a clear lead. Nayef, winner of the Prince of Wales's and the 7-4 favorite in the Eclipse, made a late run at Falbrav through the long uphill stretch but could only get within three-quarters of a length of the winner at the finish. Kaieteur finished another 1 1/4 lengths back in third. Falbrav completed the 10 furlongs in 2:05.59 over good to firm turf.

Trainer Luca Camani said Falbrav might skip the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes to await the Juddmonte International.