Notnowcato defeats Authorized in Eclipse

Ryan Moore, the 23-year-old reigning British champion jockey, came of age at Sandown Park on Saturday with a brilliant tactical display on Notnowcato in the Group 1 Coral Eclipse Stakes.

The 1 1/4-mile Eclipse turned into a highly tactical affair, with a strong pace set by Champery, the rabbit for the Epsom Derby winner and red-hot odds-on favorite, Authorized.

Unlike Frankie Dettori, who positioned Authorized at the back of the eight-runner field, Moore took Notnowcato into second place when the pace slackened.

After crossing to the far side of the track to race alone up the stands-side rail throughout the final three-eighths of a mile, Moore guided Notnowcato to a 1 1/2-length victory in 2:05.85 on the good-to-soft turf course.

Authorized came through to lead the rest of the field a furlong from the finish, but was always playing second fiddle to the winner, who was third choice of the bookies at 7-1.

Indeed, Authorized, who was so impressive five weeks earlier in the Derby, was all out to hold on for second place, just a head in front of George Washington, who proved that he could stay the trip with a solid effort in third.

Winning trainer Michael Stoute said of Notnowcato, a 5-year-old son of Inchinor: "He's such a tough, honest horse that we didn't have to worry about the others not following him. Ryan and I have been toying with coming down the stands rail since we talked on Wednesday."

Dettori said: "Authorized thinks that he has won. They split into three, and it's difficult when everyone's trying to beat you. You can't follow everybody - I made my decision to stay with George Washington."