Fast ground rules out Jack Hobbs as Cliffs Of Moher heads nine-strong line-up

Jack Hobbs was the most notable absentee from the declarations for Saturday's Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, with nine left for the Group 1.

Trainer John Gosden had said in the days leading up to the race rain would be needed for the five-year-old to take his place in the field, and it had failed to materialise by Thursday morning, with the going described as good, good to firm in places.

King Edward VII winner Permian was also taken out on Thursday, while Aidan O'Brien reduced his team to favourite Cliffs Of Moher and Taj Mahal.

Like O'Brien, David Simcock has two contenders, with Desert Encounter and Lightning Spear, while Decorated Knight, Ulysses, Eminent and Barney Roy also feature.

James Doyle will be aboard Barney Roy, and is hopeful the colt will see out the trip, having not raced beyond a mile yet.

He said: "His stride is huge, and on top of that, he is so powerful.

"His win in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot was outstanding in the circumstances. He did not jump away all that great, but there was no doubting the way he galloped through the line.

"Anybody wondering whether or not he can run a strong mile and a quarter should look at that performance. He is still a bit fiery, but he is so inexperienced. He is bound to get better with more racing.

"I feel the race will be perfect for Barney Roy, and I believe he can win, as long as he relaxes."

Doyle combined with Roger Charlton to capture the Eclipse on Al Kazeem in 2013, but the trainer is aiming to get one up on the rider with Decorated Knight this weekend.

Charlton, speaking to Qipco British Champions Series, said: "Every time Decorated Knight has run, he has produced a better performance. It was no disgrace to be beaten by Highland Reel [when second in the Prince of Wales's Stakes].

"He’s a tough, sound, genuine racehorse suited by fast ground and a mile and a quarter. We’ve no need to look beyond that distance for him.

"He has come out of his run at Royal Ascot in very good shape, especially considering how hot it was. He got very sweaty that day, but that’s just him and it does not affect his performance.”