DESPITE initial suggestions, Santiago will not be going to Epsom this weekend: Aidan O’Brien had seven in at the five-day stage, and Santiago was not among them.

As it happens, there is at least one highly able deputy. Russian Emperor’s win in a fast-run and above-average Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot earned him the same 114 rating as Santiago, and he looks to have scope for more improvement at 12 furlongs. Vatican City, on 112 after his second in the Irish 2000 Guineas, is also promising, if less certain to stay.

I would have the rest of the Ballydoyle contingent as follows: Mogul 109, Mythical 108, Serpentine 102, and Amhran Na Bhfiann 99.

English King (113) now looks plenty short enough – having beaten Berkshire Rocco in the Lingfield Derby Trial by the same margin as Santiago went on to do at Ascot – and so is Kameko (120) if, like me, you think that one is a doubtful stayer. At the odds, I am leaning towards Russian Emperor.

The Eclipse Stakes at Sandown tomorrow promises to be a fascinating affair despite being devoid of three-year-olds.

Enable (125 plus sex allowance) won this on her reappearance last year and should be difficult to beat if straight, but Ghaiyyath (124, but higher on one or two bits of form) is monstrously good on his day and fit, while Japan (123) should run better than when fourth to Lord North (122) in a somewhat muddling race at Royal Ascot. None of the others can be completely ruled out, either.

I am edging towards Ghaiyyath, but this does look a race to relish without feeling obliged to have a bet.