Exciting stayer Falcon Eight tackles the Coral Marathon

Falcon Eight was all the rage in ante-post markets for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot before Dermot Weld opted to redirect the Moyglare Stud-owned stayer to the Listed Coral Marathon (4.45).

Despite obvious inexperience, the four-year-old showed great promise when second on his reappearance in the Levmoss Stakes at Leopardstown in May, and Weld said: "He's very well. He's still quite inexperienced and we're putting cheekpieces on to help him in what looks a very competitive race."

The Andrew Balding-trained Cleonte is ready for this step up in class after delivering King Power Racing an emotional success in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot.

ASCOT, ENGLAND - JUNE 22: Silvestre De Sousa riding Cleonte to win The Queen Alexander Stakes on day five of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 22, 2019 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse)Credit: Alan Crowhurst

Balding said: "We have been really pleased with him since Ascot and he appears to have taken the race very well. This looks the next logical step for him and, despite it being a stronger race, I'd like to think he'll run well."

Another intriguing runner is the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Mekong, who will need to bounce back from a disappointing performance at York last time. The four-year-old was sent off the even-money favourite for the Grand Cup Stakes but finished 41 lengths behind Gold Mount.

Nearly Caught won the last two runnings of this race for Hughie Morrison and the trainer will be represented this year by Hermoso Mundo, who makes who makes his first start in Britain since leaving South African trainer Mike de Kock.

Sandown a big plus for History Writer

A two-length victory over course and distance last month advertised History Writer's effectiveness at the track and trainer David Menuisier is confident the four-year-old can do himself justice off a career-high mark of 97 in the Coral Challenge (2.25).

History Writer's two victories have come at Sandown – where his career form figures read 31531 – and success last time put an end to a winless streak of seven races.

Trainer David Menuisier runs History WriterCredit: Edward Whitaker

Menuisier said: "He ran over course and distance three weeks ago and I'm very pleased with him – he's in good form. The [fast] ground is a bit of a worry but the uphill finish is a big plus. I would expect him to run a really good race despite the slight ground concern."

Greenside's fourth behind History Writer at Sandown was the latest in a series of good performances, headlined by victory at Windsor in May.

The consistent eight-year-old has not won off his current mark of 94 since June 2017, but trainer Henry Candy is upbeat about his chance.

"He's in great shape," said Candy. "The ground will be quicker this time, which will be against him, but otherwise he's in great order. If everything goes right for him he can still win off this sort of mark."

Encapsulation the one to beat says Balding

After showing promise in three starts in Ireland for Noel Meade, Encapsulation makes her first British start for Andrew Balding in the Listed Coral Distaff (3.00).

The daughter of Zoffany finished second to Oaks runner-up Pink Dogwood in the Listed Salsabil Stakes at Navan on her final start for Meade, and Balding is hoping for a bold show.

"Obviously her form from Ireland looks strong but she's dropping back in trip and is about to encounter faster ground than before," the trainer said. "I've been really pleased with her at home and I'd hope she'd be the one they've got to beat."

Encapsulation: runner-up behind Pink Dogwood in the Listed Salsabil Stakes at NavanCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Frankie Dettori will be aboard the John Gosden-trained Muchly, who returns to action after a short break following a fourth-placed finish behind Aloe Vera in the 1m2f Height Of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood in May.

The Iffraaj filly, who defeated Queen Power over a mile at Ascot on her second start of the season, looked to have been stretched by the additional two furlongs at Goodwood and drops back in trip.

Gosden said: "We've waited for this race, which is on a big stage on a big day at Sandown for her, and hopefully she can bag some black type."

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