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15:35 Sandown

Saturday 8 July 2017

All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:40

Coral-Eclipse (British Champions Series) (Group 1)

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 2m 3.49s

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Selected odds by:

(2)

Decorated Knight¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: O Peslier| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 119| C| D

10/1

In the form of his life this year and has won two Group 1 races already this season. Good effort behind Highland Reel at Royal Ascot last month and that form looks rock solid. Versatile ground wise an no reason why he won't go well again here from an ideal draw.

Form: 1-11612

(8)

Desert Encounter^h⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: S M Levey| T: D M Simcock| OR: 109| BF

50/1

Won a Listed race at Ascot on his seasonal return but finished a beaten favourite last time at Goodwood and plenty more needed in this company.

Form: 1132-12

(5)

Lightning Spear¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D M Simcock| OR: 120

25/1

Excellent third behind Minding on Champions Day last year and not disgraced behind Ribchester in the Lockinge. Very disappointing at Royal Ascot, failing to make up any ground from off the pace and may find a few too good again.

Form: 6913-29

(6)

Ulysses¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jim Crowley| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 119| CD

8/1

Good third behind Highland Reel and reopposing Decorated Knight at Ascot last time and lightly raced, so a little more improvement isn't ruled out for a trainer who does well with these types. Likes to be held up so has to be ridden for luck to some extent but no surprise to see him bang there once again.

Form: 0124-13

(4)

Barney Roy¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: James Doyle| T: R Hannon| OR: 120

9/4

Won the Greenham at Newbury in impressive fashion before a fantastic effort in the 2,000 Guineas behind Churchill. Went on to win the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot since but the step up in trip is the big question mark. Shapes like he will stay this far and this trainer and jockey have an excellent strike-rate of 26.67% when combining; leading claims.

Form: 1-121

(1)

Cliffs Of Moher^t³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 118| D

7/4

Excellent second in the Derby, only reeled in late on and been given time to recover from that effort. Not certain to be quite as good dropped back in trip here but not done improving yet and has drawn well.

Form: 51-12

(3)

Eminent³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: S De Sousa| T: M Meade| OR: 116

4/1

Winner of the Craven Stakes earlier in the season and fine effort in the Derby but has a bit to do to turn the form around with Cliffs Of Moher on that form. Not done improving just yet though and gets the services of De Sousa for the first time; should go well.

Form: 1-164

(7)

Salouen¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: W Buick| T: S Kirk| OR: 107| BF

33/1

Very unlucky in the Derby when he met plenty of trouble on the turn for home and didn't enjoy a nice trip in a Group 2 at Royal Ascot last time, pulled wide, before finding little. Suspicion is that he's better than that but still needs to prove he can mix it at this level.

Form: 123-207

(9)

Taj Mahal^b⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: P B Beggy| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113| BF

50/1

Not disgraced in the French Derby at big odds but well beaten in the Irish Derby last time and likely to be used as a pacemaker in this contest.

Form: 5-22446

Forecasts

Cliffs Of Moher (7/4), Barney Roy (9/4), Eminent (4/1), Ulysses (8/1), Decorated Knight (10/1), Lightning Spear (25/1), Salouen (33/1), Desert Encounter (50/1), Taj Mahal (50/1)

BARNEY ROY could be hard to beat if he stays this trip. He's won three of his four starts and he wasn't beaten far in the 2,000 Guineas by Churchill. Decorated Knight looks to have a solid each-way chance and he's not ruled out in landing his third Group 1 of the season. Cliffs Of Moher may be best of the rest and he has been given time to recover from his Derby effort.