Eydon returns to winning form with Aston Park success

Eydon served a reminder of his class with an impressive victory in the Sky Sports Racing Aston Park Stakes at Newbury.

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.

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.”