Roaring Lion and Oisin Murphy see off Saxon Warrior in Coral-Eclipse thriller at Sandown
John Gosden's colt knuckled down gamely in the final furlong to give jockey Oisin Murphy his first Group 1 win in England
ROARING LION was the king of the jungle in the Coral-Eclipse, getting the better of old rival Saxon Warrior in an epic, hair-raising duel.
Despite jinking in the closing stages, the Dante winner was that little bit too strong when it mattered and gave jockey Oisin Murphy his first Group 1 on home soil.
Following Masar's defection yesterday evening, the door was open for a new star to cement himself at the top of the middle-distance tree, and Roaring Lion did just that.
The three-year-old was always travelling supremely well under jockey Oisin Murphy, cruising into contention as the field entered the final two furlongs.
Despite Hawkbill's best efforts to make all, it was Roaring Lion and Saxon Warrior who drew clear of the rest, and the pair battled it out grimly in the last hundred yards.
But it was the son of Kitten's Joy who was to prove too strong for Aidan O'Brien's 2,000 Guineas winner, putting his head down to win by a neck, with Cliffs Of Moher back in third.
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However, the drama wasn't over.
A stewards' inquiry threatened to wipe the smile off the faces of connections, with the winner in trouble for jinking to his right in the closing stages.
The damage wasn't deemed to serious enough to alter the result, though, and Roaring Lion was officially confirmed the winner.
After the contest, trainer John Gosden was typically gracious in victory.
He told ITV Racing: "Oisin Murphy rode him beautifully and very coolly. He got too far back, he knew that, and he didn't hurry to get back. It was a very good ride and I'm thrilled.
"I thought Saxon Warrior was magnificent, so all credit to Aidan O'Brien.
"Oisin deserves a first British Group One win. He did very well to stay as cool as he did."
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The elated rider has been successful at the top level abroad, but this was his first Group 1 success in Britain.
He said: "Whenever a horse shifts off a line or anything small in a race, the stewards look into it.
"My horse has caused very little interference if any and clearly he was the best horse in the race. He's a very talented colt.
"There's a huge team at John Gosden's who deserve big-race success and I'm delighted.
"I went out in the race with a very open mind and full of confidence thanks to the owner and the trainer. Thankfully, we delivered."
Murphy was suspended for four days for careless riding after the race.
In the Coral Distaff, Awesometank (6-1) fought off all challengers to win in game fashion. Desert Diamond (3-1) was second and Preening (5-2f) was third.
The Coral Charge went the way of speedball Judicial (4-1f). The six-year-old just held on from Muthmir (9-2) and Mirza (50-1)