THE Eclipse meeting at Sandown is always a Saturday I look forward to at the fantastic Esher track. The feature, the Eclipse Stakes, is a race to savour, as it is always the first time that the three-year-olds take on their elders at this Group 1 level.

In the last ten Eclipses the older horses have been successful on six occasions, although a strong 2022 renewal is headed by the supplemented French Derby star Vadeni at Unibet 6/4, who easily cruised to victory in this race ahead of El Bodegon and Modern Games, whilst the second in the market Native Trial, after his 2,000 Guineas runner-up position to Coroebus, took the Irish equivalent last time out.

Of the older horses Mishriff, who if he is on song, could easily strike here after a long absence, with his six-length beating of Alenquer in the Juddmonte International at the Ebor meeting last year still fresh in the memory. Bay Bridge won the Brigadier Gerard in May at Sandown at the best evening meeting of the year, ahead of finishing runner-up at Royal Ascot, though there is a question mark as to whether he can strike in this renewal. Real World, who has been a regular in my Unibet blog, unfortunately doesn’t run after a poor scope, which is such a disappointment for the Saeed bin Suroor team after their charge has chased home Baaeed twice this season and has won over this trip last year. Real World would have been my selection to take on the younger generation.
Away from the Eclipse, Heredia for Unibet Ambassador Richard Hannon, won the Sandringham at Royal Ascot in tremendous style and this unbeaten filly looks ready to strike in Listed company in the Distaff at Unibet 5/4.

There is plenty of top action at Haydock with the Lancashire Oaks and the Old Newton Handicap.

Enjoy a fantastic Eclipse card at Sandown whether on course or #athome watching on ITV Racing and Racing TV.

Cheers
The Wine Tipster

1.50 Sandown – Charge Group 3 (5f)

Mitbaahy (nap) looked mighty impressive when winning over course and distance last month in a Listed contest, beating the smart Live In The Dream, when travelling smoothly from last to first under a confidant ride. This progressive colt won his penultimate start at Hamilton comfortably and can handle the step up in smarter company in a Group 3 where three-year-olds with their 5lb allowance have won six of the last ten renewals.

Unibet 11/4 win

2.05 Haydock – Handicap (1m 6f)

Hello Jumeirah was second at Haydock last time out to Almuhit over two and a half furlongs shorter and this filly looks sure to benefit from a step up in trip on her fourth career start. Unraced as a two-year-old she won her maiden at Kempton in April and there is more improvement to come.

Unibet 11/1 each way

2.25 Sandown – Challenge Handicap (1m)

Sinjarri has finished third and fifth on his two starts in 2022 and can score his first victory this season. On seasonal debut he finished third to Muraad and Top Secret at Newbury in a strong handicap and then ran well to finish fifth to Dark Shift in the Royal Hunt Cup when not getting the run of the race.

Unibet 5/2 win

Ouzo ran really well to be beaten just a neck by Rebel Territory (entered in Goodwood Golden Mile) over course and distance two starts ago at the Brigadier Gerard meeting. On his most recent appearance you can totally forget about his effort in the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot when the cheekpieces (now discarded) lit him up and he pulled far too hard before dropping away. Ouzo has a solid chance here and on his only other start at Sandown he won.

Unibet 9/1 each way

3.15 Haydock – Old Newton Cup Handicap (1m 4f)

Liverpool Knight for the smart trainer Kevin Phillapart De Foy absolutely hosed up on debut for the yard (in soft ground) at Windsor, coming well clear in the closing stages and never stronger than at the finish when giving every impression that he could have won by much further. The 6lb rise looks more than fair and if his new yard has found the key to him, there should be more to come with rain forecast for race day.

Unibet 8/1 each way

3.35 Sandown – Eclipse Group 1 (1m 2f)

Native Trial has given every impression that the step up to this trip from a mile should suit and that he should stay this distance in what could be a very tactical affair, as his sire Oasis Dream has produced top class middle distance performers including Midday. In the 2,000 Guineas when drawn the opposite side of the course to Coroebus he still ran a good race and then he won the Irish Guineas drawing away smoothly at the finish. His racing style suggests he will be effective over the Eclipse trip and Sandown looks like it will really suit him too.

Unibet 3/1 win