Steve Ryder has two ante-post tips for next weekend’s Coral Eclipse at Sandown.
Coral Eclipse Stakes
The Eclipse Stakes at Sandown has been sponsored by Coral since 1976 and is often the first time in a season that the classic generation get to take on their elders. There are currently 41 entries for the Group 1 run on Saturday 5th July this year.
Coral Eclipse Winners, Trends & Stats
The race has been won on multiple occasions by the same horse with Orme, Buchan, Polyphontes, Mtoto and Halling all winning the race in successive years. Sea The Stars, Golden Horn and City Of Troy all won the race following success in the Derby and Paddington won the race in 2023 having won the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
- 11 of the previous 12 winners were rated 118 or higher
- Nine of the previous 12 winners had won last time out
- Nine of the previous 12 winners were having their first start at Sandown
- Eight of the previous 12 winners had previously won a Group 1
- Seven of the previous 12 winners were aged three
Coral Eclipse Runners Guide
Field Of Gold
An impressive winner over a mile on his previous two starts in the Irish 2000 Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Would rate un unlikely runner currently with connections stating that the Sussex Stakes over a mile at Goodwood would be his next run. Does appear as if he would stay this 1m2f later this season though and would no doubt be favourite for this contest if connections decide to run him here.
Ombudsman
Unbeaten in his four starts last season before running well to finish 2nd in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes over this course and distance on his reappearance. The four-year-old was attempting to give Almaqam 3lbs that day but the pair pulled four lengths clear of the 3rd.
Improved to win the Group 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot by two lengths from Anmaat despite not getting the clearest of runs down the straight. The handicapper has raised him to a rating of 128 and that would set the standard in this race.
Sosie
French raider who is currently favourite for the Prix de l’Arc De Triomphe in October. Yet to race outside of France in his career but connections have stated that this will be a mid-season target for him.
Victorious in his two starts at Group 1 level so far this season, he will appreciate this step back up to 1m2f having looked outpaced over 1m1f on his previous start.
Camille Pissarro
Appeared to relish the step up trip to 1m2½f when he won the French Derby last time at Longchamp. Showed his liking for France winning a Group 1 there last season before finishing 3rd in the French 2000 Guineas when behind stablemate Henri Matisse. Would have to be respected if the stable selected for this race for a yard with a fantastic record in it.
Calandagan
A runner-up on his four starts at Group 1 level since winning at Royal Ascot by six lengths. The Francis Henri Graffard trained four-year-old has been beaten by less than 1 ¼ lengths on those four starts and he was beaten at odds on last time in the Coronation Cup. Question marks will surround him until he gets his head back in front.
Almaqam
Had the form of his Brigadier Gerard Stakes success boosted by Ombudsman at Royal Ascot which he missed because of the fast ground. Has shown his best form at Sandown in his career and showed he was versatile tactics wise when making all last time. Would rate a risky antepost bet with connections keen to avoid fast ground.
Coral Eclipse Trainers & Jockeys To Watch
Aidan O’Brien has won this race eight times including three of the previous four renewals (didn’t have a runner in 2022) with St Mark’s Basilica (2021), Paddington (2023) and City Of Troy last year. John Gosden won this race in 2015 with Golden Horn and then successive years with Roaring Lion in 2018 and Enable in 2019.
Ryan Moore has won three of the previous four renewals for Aidan O’Brien winning on St Mark’s Basilica (2021), Paddington (2023) and City Of Troy (2024) last year. William Buick has won this race three times in total with Nathaniel (2012), Hawkbill (2016) and Ghaiyyath (2020).
Coral Eclipse Tips
Aidan O’Brien currently has 11 entries for this race and whatever he runs will shorten significantly from their current odds.
The most likely would be Camille Pissarro (best priced at 5/1) who bids to emulate 2021 winner St Mark’s Basilica who won this race following runs in both the French 2000 Guineas and French Derby.
Camille Pissarro hits the majority of trends other than being rated over 118 but being a progressive three-year-old that is unexposed over the trip, that can be forgiven.
The other is Delacroix (best priced at 9/1) who bids to bounce back from defeat in the Derby when sent off favourite. Prior to that he had won his two starts this season over 1m2f at Leopardstown including when beating Lambourn on his reappearance.
Inconvenienced in the early stages of the contest at Epsom, he was looked after by Ryan Moore and he looks overpriced at current odds with his trainer suggesting this will likely be his next run.
