Ten-year trends for the Eclipse and Old Newton Cup

Three-year-olds have won the last two renewals of the Coral-Eclipse and dominate the market for this year's renewal of the 10-furlong contest.

Barney Roy is a fascinating runner and impressed in the St James's Palace Stakes but the majority of winners have already been proven over the trip or further.

The exception was Mount Nelson, one of two winners for Aidan O'Brien in the last decade and one of five overall, but there are no such stamina doubts about this year's principal Ballydoyle representative Cliffs Of Moher.

A lack of stamina may have proved his undoing in the Derby but this trip holds no fears for him.

The pertinent question is how good the Classic crop are and if one of the older horses is to prevail then DECORATED KNIGHT appeals as the likeliest candidate.

He has taken his form to a new level this season having progressed steadily since joining Roger Charlton in 2016 and ran well in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, a race that has - not surprisingly - been a good guide to this contest.

There is a suspicion that the middle distance colts are not 'all that' while any chinks in Barney Roy's stamina are likely to be put to the test by an expected strong gallop. 

Given their respective prices, Decorated Knight rates the each-way selection.

- Winners have been aged three (3), four (2) and five (5).

- Winners have been priced between 4/9 and 14/1 with five favourites obliging.

- Eight winners had been successful in a Group One, one exception had finished second and the other was unraced above Group Three level.

- Nine winners had won at least a third of their career starts.  (Mount Nelson hadn't)

- Nine winners had had either two or three starts during the current season. The exception scored on his reappearance.

- Seven winners had previously won over 10 furlongs; two exceptions had won over 12 furlongs.

- Two winners had run in the Epsom Derby and both were successful.

- Seven winners finished in the first three on their preceding start with four successful.

- Seven winners had their preceding race at Royal Ascot; five in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes (4, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4) and one in the Queen Anne (5) and Tercentenary Stakes (1). Sea The Stars and Golden Horn ran in the Epsom Derby while Nathaniel had run in the Champion Stakes.

There has been a wide range of weight carrying performances in the bet365 Old Newton Cup at Haydock but the majority of the winners have come from a relatively narrow ratings band, albeit one that covers a large number of the field.

There are nine horses rated above 97 though and it depends how much you are prepared to quibble over a pound or two. 

Among the higher rated animals number is Soldier In Action who contested the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes last time, a race that has been a decent guide to this contest but he finished further back at Royal Ascot than the horses who went on to win this prize in the last 10 years.

His trainer Mark Johnston has won two of those renewals and Farquhar finished third behind one of them in 2015. Now with Mick Appleby and struggling to recapture his best form (albeit with valid excuses), he has dropped to a tempting mark and it would be no surprise to see a more positive showing with conditions more suitable.

Younger horses have dominated this race though and Shraaoh is an obvious contender having shaped well behind Soldier In Action on his seasonal return.

He has won fewer races than your typical winner and hasn't been missed by the market and more interesting are Toulson and BROROCCO.

The former is two from two since being gelded and may have more to offer now up in trip but the latter possesses the stronger form (as reflected by his price) and this talented but late-developing individual is preferred.

- Winners have been aged four (7), five, six and seven.

- Winners have carried between 8-6 and 9-7.

- Eight winners have been rated between 90 and 97; the exceptions were 87 and 102.

- All winners have been priced between 5/2 and 14/1 with eight in single figures but only two favourites have been successful.

- Seven winners either won or were placed on at least one of their previous two starts.

- Seven winners had won at least three races.

- Nine of the winners had won over at least 11 furlongs.

- All of the winners had either won or been placed in a class 3 handicap or higher.

- Only one of the winners attracted the in-running comment 'held-up'.