'It's never wise to dismiss a horse from this yard after one modest effort' - why this horse can win the Coral-Eclipse

The Group 1 Coral-Eclipse takes place at Sandown (3.35) on Saturday. Find out the selections from our top team below . . .

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Ombudsman

By Graeme Rodway

Produced a remarkable performance to land the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, when coming from off a strong pace to run the final furlong in a quicker time than every other winner on the card bar My Cloud. 

That marked him down as a serious Group 1 horse and, provided he is over that hard race and in the same form less than three weeks later, he should be too good. 

Ombudsman15:35 Sandown

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Jky: William Buick Tnr: John & Thady Gosden

Delacroix

By Stuart Redding

I'm keen to give Delacroix another chance in a fantastic running of Sandown's Flat highlight.

He beat Lambourn on his reappearance and looked smart when winning a second Derby trial at Leopardstown six weeks later. His trip to Epsom didn't go to plan, but it's never wise to dismiss a horse from this yard after one modest effort. 

By Liam Headd

I was looking forward to seeing Almaqam, but Ed Walker didn't declare him on Thursday morning due to the quick ground and I'm now looking elsewhere. Ombudsman was a classy winner of the Prince of Wales's at Royal Ascot, but I fully expect Delacroix to bounce back to form and bring the fight to the favourite.

The Dubawi colt didn't get much luck in running when ninth in the Derby and a drop back in distance is what he needs. He's two from two over 1m2f, the second win yielding a career-best Racing Post Rating, and he is the choice of Ryan Moore, which speaks volumes as he has teamed up with Aidan O'Brien to win this race three times in the past four years.

Some of the opposition have questions to answer over the trip, but Delacroix doesn't and he will also appreciate the quick conditions.

Delacroix15:35 Sandown

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Jky: Tnr: A P O'Brien

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Camille Pissarro

By Sam Hardy

Aidan O'Brien has won this race three times in the past four years with a three-year-old and it may be worth sticking with this tested formula, with Camille Pissarro looking the stable's best chance.

He comes into the race in fine form having won the French Derby at Chantilly on his latest start. 

Camille Pissarro15:35 Sandown

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Jky: Tnr: A P O'Brien

Ruling Court

By James Hill

Field Of Gold apart, there seems to be a growing opinion that the three-year-olds aren't up to much, but the fillies didn't do too badly in the Pretty Polly last weekend.

Ruling Court, who beat Field Of Gold to win the 2,000 Guineas, deserves another chance after his flop in the St James's Palace (poor preparation). Godolphin also have the favourite in Ombudsman, but Ruling Court made an impressive winning debut here and is taken to come out on top.

By Joe Eccles

Field Of Gold would be a short-priced favourite if lining up here so Ruling Court, who beat the Juddmonte colt in the 2,000 Guineas two starts back, makes plenty of appeal at odds of 8-1.

The Guineas result was admittedly reversed in the St James's Palace at Royal Ascot last time, but Ruling Court looked in desperate need of further there and he must be working well at home for Charlie Appleby to roll the dice so soon after that run.

Ruling Court15:35 Sandown

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Jky: Oisin Murphy Tnr: Charlie Appleby

Hotazhell

By Oliver Barnard

Ombudsman will take plenty of beating, but at the current price I can’t get involved, so my eyes have been drawn to the other end of the market in Hotazhell.

He had Delacroix behind him at Doncaster last year, and shaped well on his reappearance when third to Field Of Gold in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.

He didn’t run at Ascot so comes here fresh, although the concern will be the quickening ground. He has winning form on good but a drop of rain would be ideal.

Hotazhell15:35 Sandown

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Jky: Shane Foley Tnr: Mrs John Harrington

Coral-Eclipse (3.35 Sandown, Saturday)
Coral: Evens Ombudsman, 9-2 Sosie, 6 Delacroix, 7 Camille Pissarro, 8 Ruling Court, 33 Hotazhell.

Read more . . .

2025 Coral-Eclipse tips: the runners, the odds, the verdict 

Confirmed runners and riders for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday as Ryan Moore's ride is revealed 

Who will win the Coral-Eclipse based on previous trends? 

2025 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown: what are the strengths and weaknesses of the main contenders? 

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