Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park today

the Eclipse Stakes, run over10 furlongs this afternoon at 16.10 CET, has a long and proud history and is often one of the best races of the entire season. Who has forgotten Sea the Stars´ brilliant effort a year ago against Rip van Winkle? However, with all due respect, this looks a substandard renewal. Only 6 runners, and in all honesty only two of them -Twice Over (Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally) and Dar Re Mi (John Gosden/ William Buick)- have shown so far form that puts them into the top bracket. And in both those cases one must have reservations. Dar Re Mi is a 5yo mare and females have a very poor record here- in fact only 2 winners ever. On her only start in 2010 she won the Sheema Classic in Dubai, and she has plenty of top class form to her credit. However 10 furlongs on fast ground does not seem ideal for the daughter of Singspiel (who died yesterday), although she is in fact the only CD winner in the field.

With Twice Over, whose best performance was to win last year´s Champion Stakes, and more recently run second to Byword at Royal Ascot, the problem is that he has only ever won once at the top level and ran badly in this race last year. In addition he is vulnerable to a false pace, which is distinctly likely today. Tactics will undoubtedly play a major role, which will not be to his advantage. On the other hand, a repetition of his Royal Ascot effort would probably be good enough to win here, especially as he did not get a clear run there.

In theory, one of these two must win, but if they should happen to fail, Zacinto (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) and Viscount Nelson (Aidan O´Brien/ Johnny Murtagh) will be there to pick up the pieces. Both represent smart connections with a good record in this event. Viscount Nelson, the only 3yo, has been unplaced in 3 classics this season, but was not disgraced when 5th in the French Derby. He is no Sea the Stars, but could still spring a surprise. Zacinto has not really run up to expectations, his fourth place in the Queen Anne, beaten a long way, was a decent effort but not normally good enough to win a race like this. Mawatheek (Marcus Tregoning/ Richard Hills) looks well held by Twice Over, and the stable´s form is not that great either, while Sri Putra (Michael Jarvis/ Philip Robinson), whose team is in sparkling form, has never yet shown Group One ability. This is definitely a race to be very cautious about, but logic suggests that Twice Over will beat Dar Re Mi. I f there is to be a surprise that can only come from Viscount Nelson.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Triple Aspect - Group Therapy - Bould Mover
2. Race: Acrostic - Set The Trend - Greyfriarschorista
3. Race: Twice Over - Dar Re Mi - Zacinto
4. Race: Decorative - Lady Darshaan - Marie De Medici
5. Race: Opinion Poll - Manighar - Aajel
6. Race: Eton Forever - Mass Rally - Imperial Delight
7. Race: Beachfire - Buffett - Lovers Causeway