YOU look forward to the Eclipse to see the clash of the generations, to see the high-class middle-distance three-year-olds take on the high-class middle-distance older horses, to get a handle on how they measure up and, if the Derby winner lines up, so much the better.

Alas, White Birch’s defection has weakened the older horses’ challenge significantly, to the point at which it is 14/1 and better your pick of them.