Eclipse Stakes: Pastorious primed for Eclipse bid

Pastorious looks set to take his chance in the Eclipse

German trainer Mario Hofer is confident stable star Pastorius is back to his best ahead of his tilt at the Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday...

A dual Group 1 winner in his homeland last summer, before finishing a close third behind esteemed compatriot Danedream in the Grosser Preis Von Baden, the exciting colt signed off his three-year-old campaign with a fine fourth behind the mighty Frankel in the Champion Stakes at Ascot.

He made a brilliant return to action by claiming his third Group 1 in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp, but beat just one home on his latest appearance in the Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji in mid-May.

Given a break since, Hofer is looking forward to seeing his pride and joy return to the European racing scene this weekend, with crack French jockey Olivier Peslier keeping the ride.

Hofer said: "Olivier Peslier is going to ride him again. They won the Ganay together and Olivier is a top international jockey. The ground is not a problem for our horse. He won the Prix Ganay on fast ground and won a Group 1 in Munich last year on soft ground, so there is no problem there."

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