The highlight of the flat season at Sandown, the Eclipse is a Group 1 contest over the 1m 2f distance. It’s another chance for the Classic generation to prove themselves against their older peers and this year is no different.
There’s no doubt about it, a four-runner field for a £340,260 Group 1 contest is disappointing, but we’re certainly not sure of quality. Between them, the four runners can boast of nine Group 1 victories, and it’s going to be a fascinating tactical spectacle.
J: Tom Marquand, T: William Haggas
A globe-trotting superstar, he’s picked up three of his four Group 1 victories in Australia. He deservedly got his day in the sun in Britain with victory on Champion’s Day last year, winning the Champion Stakes impressively. Ground versatile and a strong-traveller, he shouldn’t be inconvenienced when the race turns tactical. The highest-rated horse in the line-up, he merits obvious consideration. That being said, a seven-year-old has never won the Eclipse.
3-1 with MansionBet (Odds correct as of 4pm Friday)
J: David Egan, T: John & Thady Gosden
Winner of last year’s French Derby, he’s gone from strength to strength since. He did run well below form behind Addeybb in the Champion Stakes on his final 2020 start, but he’s left that behind in two subsequent outings. Picking up both the Saudi Cup and Sheema Classic earlier this year, he’s one of the top ten-furlong horses around. He’s still unexposed overall and is the one to beat.
6-4 with MansionBet (Odds correct as of 4pm Friday)
J: Andrea Atzeni, T: Roger Varian
Has raced just five times thus far, posting a career-best to win the Dee at Chester back in May. He took a backwards step in the French Derby, however, finishing a long way behind St Mark’s Basilica. A tactical race may play to his strengths, but given that he has sixteen pounds to find on ratings with Addeybb, he’s the outsider of four for good reason.
25-1 with MansionBet (Odds correct as of 4pm Friday)
J: Ryan Moore, T: Aidan O’Brien
Progressive as a juvenile, the Classic generation’s flag-bearer won the Dewhurst on his final two-year-old start in October. He’s looked better than ever in two starts in 2021, both in France, winning the French 2000 Guineas on route to a French Derby romp. That was his first start over ten furlongs and he has plenty of untapped potential over this distance. He gets all of the allowances and with that in mind, he’s entitled to a huge amount of respect.
13-8 with MansionBet (Odds correct as of 4pm Friday)
This year’s Eclipse will be a fascinating tactical race, with Mishriff the trend’s selection. He doesn’t quite match the rating trend, but he’s a four-year-old who is set to go off favourite. A dual winner in 2021, he’s trained by John Gosden and should have so much more to offer this campaign.
It’s ultimately difficult to get away from MISHRIFF, who can provide the older generation with another victory in the race. He came alive last year when upped to ten furlongs and he remains totally unexposed over this distance. His Saudi Cup and Sheema Classic victories earlier this year prove he’s trained on and further improvement is very difficult to rule out.
Tactically versatile, he won’t be fazed by how the race plays out and David Egan has a great relationship with him. He’ll love the surface and this exciting son of Make Believe can take another step towards stardom.
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