Who will win the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Park? Runner-by-runner guide and tip

Coral-Eclipse (Group 1)

When: 3.35 Saturday, July 2

Where: Sandown Park Racecourse

Winner's prize: £448,363

Where to watch: ITV Racing and Racing TV

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair Sportsbook

ALENQUER 🌟🌟🌟🌟

• Trainer: William Haggas
• Jockey: Tom Marquand
• Form: 29-161
• Odds: 7/1

Was seemingly considered more of a staying prospect but enjoyed the drop back to an extended 10 furlongs when second behind Mishriff in last summer's Juddmonte International and gained his breakthrough G1 win in the Tattersalls Gold Cup over a similar trip last month. That was a muddling affair so a strict reading of the third home, State Of Rest, winning at Royal Ascot subsequently as a huge form boost may prove inaccurate. Did look better than ever before, mind, and he beat the subsequent Derby winner Adayar on his only previous visit to Sandown which bodes well.

BAY BRIDGE 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

• Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
• Jockey: TBC
• Form: 111-12
• Odds: 7/2

Hugely progressive since early 2021 and looked the complete package when storming to victory in the Brigadier Gerard over this course and distance late last month. Small chance that effort left a bit of a mark as he was a touch below that level when second - beaten only a length in a falsely-run event - in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at the Royal meeting. Form ties in closely with Alenquer and strong suspicion he still has it in him to make a big impact in 10-furlong G1 company.

LORD NORTH 🌟🌟

• Trainer: John and Thady Gosden
• Jockey: James Doyle
• Form: 1-2145
• Odds: 16/1

Probably fair to write off the Royal Ascot nightmare as it appeared his rider struggled for some time to remove the hood enlisted for stalls entry, leaving him with a mountain to climb soon after the gates had opened. Probably better judged on his closing fourth in the Tattersalls Gold Cup as that was more like it from this former Price of Wales's winner, and he's not got masses to find with Alenquer on that evidence. Certainly too soon to be writing him off at the top table as he won a G1 out in Dubai back in March.

MISHRIFF 🌟🌟🌟

• Trainer: John and Thady Gosden
• Jockey: David Egan
• Form: 3214-0
• Odds: 7/1

Looked slightly short of peak fitness when third on his return from a 98-day break in this event last July so has to be some concerns again given he's had slightly longer off this time around. Completely tailed off when last seen in a G1 event in Saudi Arabia so has enough to prove at present, for all he proved he's a genuine top-notcher when winning last year's Juddmonte International by six lengths from Alenquer.

NATIVE TRAIL 🌟🌟🌟🌟

• Trainer: Charlie Appleby
• Jockey: William Buick
• Form: 11-121
• Odds: 3/1

Champion two-year-old colt in 2021 and no doubt he's right in amongst the best three-year-olds, having won the Craven, finished a close second in the 2000 Guineas and won the Irish version of the mile Classic at the Curragh last time. Mixed messages pedigree-wise over whether he'll improve for the move up to 10 furlongs but his running style certainly suggests he will and if he's close to his official mark then he's got to go close in receipt of 10lb from the older brigade.

VADENI 🌟🌟🌟🌟

• Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget
• Jockey: TBC
• Form: 13-511
• Odds: 13/8

Rising French star who has been supplemented into the race after his runaway win in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly. Arguably needs to prove that wasn't a flash in the pan, and it probably wasn't the strongest three-year-old G1 run in Europe this spring/summer, but he looks dangerous to all coming over for a crack at this and is evidently held in high regard by his esteemed connections.

Verdict

No real surprise that three-year-olds do so well in the Eclipse (four winners in last decade, including St Mark's Basilica 12 months ago) given the considerable weight allowance they receive, and Vadeni and Native Trail are strong contenders from the Classic crop this time.

The French raider looks especially threatening having been supplemented after his wildly impressive Chantilly success, but the older horses are well up to scratch here too and BAY BRIDGE is worth another chance at the odds.

Taking nothing away from State Of Rest and Shane Crosse but Sir Michael Stoute's horse surely wasn't seen to best effect the way the Prince of Wales's Stakes panned out and a stronger end-to-end gallop, back at Sandown where he was so impressive the time before, could result in a much-improved performance.

He's been seriously progressive for the past 14 months or so now and can prove himself a genuine Group One horse this weekend.

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