HAWKBILL, supplemented for the Coral-Eclipse after winning a Group 3 at Royal Ascot, rewarded Godolphin’s initiative by claiming the famous old race at Sandown last Saturday.

In holding Aidan O’Brien’s hot favourite The Gurkha by half a length, the 6/1 shot went some way towards fulfilling Sheikh Mohammed’s avowed desire to compete successfully again at Group 1 level in Europe.

The race was also a personal triumph for jockey William Buick, about to start a 30-day suspension following his uncharacteristic outburst in front of the Chantilly stewards.

The contest developed as many had expected, with Roger Charlton’s Countermeasure making the running to guarantee a good, level gallop for stable-companion Time Test. The latter, not helped by ground which became soft again as the afternoon wore on, made his effort two furlongs from home but by then Hawkbill was challenging the leader and The Gurkha, the subject of sustained backing on course at 4/6, was also right there with every chance.

The Gurkha led at the two-furlong pole but could never get clear and Buick drove Hawkbill ahead again a furlong later. From then on it was a good battle to the line, but the Godolphin horse retained his narrow advantage and passed the post half a length to the good.

Time Test was just over two lengths away in third with Countermeasure, a 150/1 shot, keeping on surprisingly well in fourth. My Dream Boat was unable to join issue, Western Hymn raced awkwardly, and The Gurkha’s travelling companion Bravery was never in it.

Hawkbill, a son of American sire Kitten’s Joy out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Trensa, has simply gone on and on improving. This was his sixth straight victory and it came at the expense of a classic winner, The Gurkha having taken the Poule d’Essai des Poulains at Deauville in dazzling style before arriving too late on the scene in the St James’s Palace at Royal Ascot.

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Whilst there is not the slightest chance of anyone at Godolphin referring to rivalry with Coolmore/Ballydoyle, it is equally certain that last week’s result will have brought considerable satisfaction.

Godolphin’s previous four Eclipse winners were all trained by Saeed bin Suroor, but this was a first for Charlie Appleby. Also, Hawkbill may fairly be described as ‘home grown’, the others having started life elsewhere. Halling, for example, ran in Sheikh Mohammed’s familiar maroon and white colours when starting out with John Gosden.

“He’s been a challenging horse,” Appleby remarked. “Normally he’d be soaked in sweat at home but the last 10 days he hasn’t turned a hair. It’s all part of growing up and he’s arrived now. He’s got some racing under his belt and became mentally stronger with each run.”

All at Godolphin are keen to emphasise the team effort - something which took shape when Buick and James Doyle were recruited into the ranks.

“The important thing is for the team as a whole to be winning races worldwide,” said chief executive John Ferguson. “We’re having a great time in Australia and America so it’s very important to be winning big races here, too.”

Buick, who missed this week’s July meeting at Newmarket and will also be absent from the King George at Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, apologised for his behaviour following the Prix de Diane in France, where he made a sustained verbal attack on the officials, and was understandably keen to draw a line under the whole affair.

“It’s probably the most timely winner I’ve ever had,” he said with a smile. “Charlie’s a young trainer doing well. He won the Lancashire Oaks at Haydock as well, so it’s a huge day for him. On breeding you wouldn’t even walk this horse on soft ground so it’s surprising. But the last two months he’s been unrecognisable.”

Future plans may well include the King George and possibly the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but it would be no surprise to see The Gurkha drop back to a mile in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and a rematch with Newmarket Guineas winner Galileo Gold.

There was scrimmaging off the final bend last week and he surged forward a little earlier than ideal. As O’Brien observed, he stays 10 furlongs but that sudden burst of acceleration and the soft ground did not help in a sustained battle to the line.

The obvious target for Time Test is the Juddmonte International at York. Perhaps summer will have arrived by then and Pat Smullen will have the chance to ride him on better ground. He will certainly trouble the best if those conditions prevail.