Coral Eclipse 2024

This high-quality Group 1 event often attracts the best middle-distance horses and has been won by some of the giants of the game, including Sea The Stars, So You Think, Nathaniel, Golden Horn, Enable, and Ghaiyyath. 

The last horse to complete the Derby and Coral-Eclipse double was Golden Horn in 2015, and Aidan O’Brien’s star performer bids to add his name to the history books by attempting to do what so many have failed to do in the past.

Given its popularity and billed as being one of the races of the season, let’s assess the key leading hopefuls before potentially nominating a tip for the race. As always, thanks for reading in advance and good luck!

Coral Eclipse 2024 Runners Guide

City Of Troy (4/7f)

Undefeated in all three starts as a two-year-old, concluding the campaign as Europe's champion juvenile for 2023, as well as becoming Aidan O'Brien's 13th two-year-old to top the classification. His three dominant victories last year earned him a top figure of 125, which ultimately made him the highest-rated champion two-year-old since Godolphin’s Pinatubo in 2019. 

Was expected to make a triumphant return in the 2000 Guineas when sent off as the 4/6 favourite, but clearly wasn’t right and trailed home in a disappointing ninth place. Proved that to be just a one-off, though, when slamming a top field in the Epsom Derby, with the form subsequently working well. The drop-in trip shouldn’t pose an issue and he will prove hard to beat.

White Birch (5/1)

Did well last season, winning a Group 3 race prior to making the frame in the Dante Stakes and Epsom Derby. Proved no match for Auguste Rodin in both classics but gained revenge when beating his old adversary by three lengths in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last time out. 

Improved model this campaign, winning all three outings, and should have more to offer. The lingering doubt, though, is the ground, because all of his best form has been with juice in the going description. Whether he is able to produce his best under quicker conditions remains to be seen. 

Nevertheless, he’s earned his place in the line-up, and on the back of a groundbreaking break-through Group 1 victory when downing subsequent Prince Of Wales’s Stakes winner, it would be folly to discount John Murphy’s representative. First run in Britain since last year’s Derby. 

Ghostwriter (10/1)

Succeeded in all three starts as a two-year-old, with his campaign culminating with Group 2 success in the Royal Lodge Stakes. Reappeared with a fourth-place finish in the 2000 Guineas when having City Of Troy back in ninth. His effort was worthy of an upgrade given he was slow to break and raced keenly, but stuck to the task well to make the places. 

The form has been boosted time and time again since, with Haatem (third) winning the Jersey Stakes, Rosallion (second) landing the St James’s Palace Stakes m, and Inisherin (sixth) taking the Commonwealth Cup. With three subsequent Royal Ascot winners emerging from that race, it’s fair to say the form has serious substance. 

Next time out, he matched that form when fourth in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) on very soft ground, and that was the first time he encountered such conditions. The return to better going over a shorter distance should see him in a better light, and he cannot be ruled out despite having a bit to find with the top-two in the market.

Dancing Gemini (10/1)

Has taken his form to a new level this season and Roger Teal’s charge came within whiskers of taking the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas) on his return in Paris when a half-length second to surprise winner Metropolitan. 

The form has a questionable look about it, with zero subsequent winners coming out of that race, and the only horse to run well since was Henry Longfellow when second in the St James’s Palace Stakes. Did better than his sixth-place finishing position suggested in the Epsom Derby, having been caught far too back from a poor draw. 

He made headway from the rear of the field to get himself in contention before weakening in the closing stages due to those excursions. Has plenty of pace, so the return to this shorter trip will suit, and he’s another that could outrun his odds. Will need more if he’s to turn the tables on the favourite, though.

Coral-Eclipse 2024 Tips & Predictions 

GHOSTWRITER (best price 10/1) will need to produce a performance from the gods if he’s to beat an on-song City Of Troy, but there are places up for grabs, and maybe Clive Cox’s charge is the each-way shout. 

He hasn’t looked out of place in Group 1 company both starts this season, and the nature of this course, better ground, and trip should be ideal. He is worth the roll of the dice with the prospect of more to come.

Ghostwriter, 0.5 pts E/W, 10/1

Back Architect Tips' selection for this race directly through oddschecker at a guaranteed best price by clicking the odds widget below the text.