This weekends big race is at Sandown on Saturday and is the Coral Eclipse which is ran over 1 mile and 2 furlongs and this year’s affair is full of quality.

The Fugue comes fresh from a dominating victory over Magician and subdued Treve at Royal Ascot, in a race that was ran perfectly for her to take victory on rock solid ground. Dependent on the Friday night rain, the conditions should again be there for the John Gosden filly and she is a strong favourite in the race.

Night of Thunder was beaten by Kingman at Ascot over a mile and now steps up 2 furlongs to a distance of which he is unproven. Kingman has proven to be a dominant horse and it just makes Night of Thunder’s form look very strong, but the step up in distance is a step into the unknown.

Verrazano is an interesting horse who hasn’t been beaten that far by either of Richard Hannon’s star milers Olympic Glory and Toronado over a mile. The big horse has been stepped up in class and has Ryan Moore on board for the first time. He looks a real danger. Derby 2nd Kingston Hill avoided the firm ground at the Irish Derby and was instead aimed at his race which is 2 furlongs shorter in distance, he will need the Friday night rain to be a strong factor, but the drop in distance may mean he doesn’t have the raw speed for this race.

A strong each-way fancy for this race is Mukhadram, who was 4th to The Fugue at Ascot, but the race tactics didn’t suit the horse who is normally a pacesetter. If he reverts to being a pacesetter, a place isn’t out of the question for a horse who isn’t quite at the Group 1 level yet.

NAP – Sandown 2.05: Steps

NB – Sandown 5.00: Prince of Stars

Channel 4 Selections
Sandown 2.05 – Steps
Haydock 2.20 – Complicate
Sandown 2.40 – Russian Realm
Haydock 2.55 – Talent
Sandown 3.15 – Belle D'or
Haydock 3.30 – De Rigeur e/w
Sandown 3.50 – Mukhadram e/w

Tips:
Beverley –
2.30 Adore

Carlisle –
7.10: Another for Joe
8.40: First Move

Haydock –
2.55: Talent
4.40: Heavy Metal

Leicester –
3.25 Asyad

Nottingham –
6.00: Elizabeth Coffee

Sandown –
1.30: Mutawathea
2.05: Steps (NAP)
3.50: Mukhadram e/w
5.00: Prince of Stars