Small but fine field in the Eclipse Stakes

Sandown, Saturday 8 July: Just four horses were left standing at the last scratch for the Eclipse Stakes (4th race/16.40pm/750,000 pounds/2002m), the highlight of the Summer Festival at Sandown today.

A duel is brewing between Aidan O`Brien`s Paddington (Ryan Moore) and Emily Upjohn (William Buick) from the quarters of John and Thady Gosden. The three-year-old has not yet had to tolerate an opponent in front of him in four appearances this year. He won the St James`s Palace Stakes and the Irish 2000 Guineas at the highest level. The mare only competed in the Coronation Cup (Group 1) this year. She easily beat Westover by almost two lengths, who is under order 15 minutes after the Eclipse Stakes in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. Dubai Honour (Tom Marquand) could steal the show from the two favourites. The Haggas protégé last ran in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Group 1) at Sha Tin and finished third. West Wind Blows (Jamie Spencer) is currently in first place in the Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2).