Eydon returns to winning form with Aston Park success

North Wales Chronicle

18-05-2025

Fourth in the 2022 2000 Guineas, the son of Olden Times has had his fair share of injury problems over subsequent seasons, with this just his sixth outing since that Classic appearance three years ago.
Sent off 16-1 in the hands of Oisin Murphy, Eydon travelled well close to the pace before surging clear for taking length-and-a-quarter success, justifying his connections' patience and booking his ticket to a Group One assignment in France in the process.
A big performance!
Eydon bounces back to form in the Sky Sports Racing Aston Park Stakes! 🥇 #ITVRacing | @NewburyRacing | @oismurphy | @AndrewBalding2 pic.twitter.com/ADBwiY59H5
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) May 17, 2025
Winning trainer Andrew Balding said: 'He's been a project – the Eydon project – and every time we felt we had him right, he has gone wrong and this is the first time we've had six weeks without any problems.
'He's had so many issues at home, just lots of little things and one thing after another, and it was the same for Roger (Varian) when he had him. He showed a really high level of form for Roger, he was fourth in the Guineas and is clearly a very talented horse.
'This was always the aim and we were really keen to get him back on a sound surface and we saw the best of him today. Everyone at home has done a fabulous job to get him here in this form.
'He saw the trip out well today and I think the opportunities are there for him over a mile and a half.
'I haven't spoken to Prince Faisal (owner) yet so I don't want to jump the gun, but I thought something like the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud could work for him which gives us plenty of time, he's a high-class horse so it would be great to give him a chance at the highest level again.'
Symbol Of Honour (18-5) returned to winning form in the Listed Highclere Castle Gin Carnarvon Stakes, after finding seven furlongs beyond him at Newmarket last time.
Back at a sprint trip, he beat favourite Ides Of March by a length and three-quarters in a race that is often used as a stepping stone to the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot but as a gelding, Symbol Of Honour is not permitted to run.
Winning trainer Charlie Appleby said: 'Where we go, I'll have to have a think, but he won't be a Jersey Stakes type as at Newmarket we saw he didn't handle the track, but more importantly just didn't see the seven furlongs out.
'I had him pencilled as a Jersey horse after Dubai but William (Buick, jockey) was adamant on the evidence of Newmarket to drop back to six and you saw there why. They've gone a good gallop and he's a strong traveller – if anything William said he probably got there a bit too soon.
'It's good to get him back on track and hopefully the trainer might now run him over the right trip.'
Saddadd (11-4 favourite) does have Royal Ascot on his agenda after landing the Trade Nation London Gold Cup Handicap for trainer Roger Varian and jockey Silvestre de Sousa.
Varian said: 'This race has a great history of producing Pattern performers and he carried a lot of weight and gave the second a lot of weight in perhaps not his ideal conditions, so I think we can expect the horse to improve and hopefully give us some nice days.
'We'll see how he comes out of the race, but he might deserve a crack at something like the Hampton Court.'
Qilin Queen (18-5) edged out Revoir by a short head in the Listed Childwickbury Stud Fillies' Trial Stakes.
Trained by Ed Walker and ridden by Hollie Doyle, Qilin Queen was in front with two furlongs to run and just managed to hold on, with her Oaks odds cut to 25-1 from 50s by Paddy Power.
Walker said: 'We're keen to have a go at the Oaks with her and we thought we would come here and get some bold black type with her, which she has done and is great. I think if all is well, we will probably roll the dice at Epsom.
'She is very game and she will stay well. I'm thrilled. She is very athletic and she has got speed as well. She is not a dour stayer so I think tactically she will suit Epsom.'