DUKE AND CRYSTAL AT HEAD OF ECLIPSE MARKET

Ian Fortune

Clona Duke and his kennel companion Bockos Crystal are the top two in the betting for the PGR Eclipse Stakes at Nottingham after Monday’s successes.

Boylesports have installed Clona Duke their 5-2 clear favourite, while Bockos Crystal is next in at 4-1.

There are contrasting views with the layers. Clona Duke can actually be backed at 3-1 in places, while Newinn Syd is as short as 7-2 with a firm, but is available at 6-1 with Boyles. 5-1 is the best on offer about Bockos Crystal. Romeo Command is the shortest of the remainder at 6-1.

The grade 1 continues next Monday night and the draw has been relatively kind to the Graham Holland trained pair. The prospects of Clona Duke and Bockos Crystal representing Irish shores in the grade 1 final remains very strong.