THE Eclipse may have cut up to four runners and yet it is still a fascinating contest as you have the three-year-old St Mark’s Basilica taking on the four-year-old Mishriff, the seven-year-old Addeybb, who will relish the softer going if the forecast rain falls and the outsider El Drama, who has his work cut out, as he finished a long way behind his contemporary St Mark’s Basilica at Chantilly last time out. Roaring Lion and Golden Horn are the only three-year-olds to win in the last ten years, whilst six-year-olds or older don’t have a good record.

Mishriff may not have run since March, however that is not a concern for the John & Thady Gosden team as Nathaniel and Enable have both won the Eclipse on seasonal debut.

The Charge looks a cracking renewal over the minimum trip and the Eclipse Saturday card takes plenty of beating as a day at the races or a day watching at home. 

Up at Haydock they have an excellent card with the Lancashire Oaks and Alpinista has a good chance here, whilst the Old Newton Cup is typically competitive.

Enjoy!

Cheers

The Wine Tipster. 

1.50 Sandown – Charge Group 3 (5f)

Arecibo has shown tremendous improvement since joining Robert Cowell with his rating going from 91 to 113. He must reverse form with Lazuli after their Palace House run at Newmarket admittedly, however he has since won easily at flat headquarters in the soft ahead of a very good second (tipped each way in my Unibet blog) at Royal Ascot in the King’s Stand Stakes behind Oxted on good to firm. Unibet Ambassador Jamie Spencer once again takes the ride and stall 7 won’t be a hindrance as high numbers have won two of the last five renewals.

Unibet 3/1 win

Stone Of Destiny was denied a clear run when coming from off the strong pace at Royal Ascot in the King Stand Stakes and yet on his previous run in the Dash at Epsom he ran a tremendous race off top weight when third after being denied a clear passage. This Portland winner is worth an each way wager. 

Unibet 12/1 each way

2.05 Haydock – Handicap (1m 6f)

Reverend Hubert is an interesting runner for Unibet Ambassador Richard Hannon in a competitive contest. He is really improving and I like the way he won over one mile four furlongs on his penultimate start at Salisbury when challenging late and winning with something to spare. He then stepped up to today’s trip at Doncaster and was constantly denied a run late after travelling very well. Reverend Hubert can win races at this trip, as he is a half-brother to Wall Of Fire. who ran in a Melbourne Cup. Unibet's 15 To Go Free Bet Offer will run on this race.

Unibet 14/1 each way

2.25 Sandown – Challenge Handicap (1m)

Trais Fluors is a strong each-way contender having won over course and distance here last month when looking visually impressive as he showed a return to form. He tried to follow this up four days later in the Royal Hunt Cup and was denied a clear run when coming to challenge. This seven-year-old can most definitely bounce back, has a good draw in stall 12, is ground versatile and let’s remember has spent much of his career in group company. Unibet's 15 To Go Free Bet Offer will run on this race.

Unibet 17/2 each way

3.15 Haydock – Old Newton Cup (1m 4f)

Zabeel Champion has season form figures of 21113 and this progressive four-year-colt can run another strong race for Mark Johnston on his first start at Haydock. Last time out he was third in the heavy at Royal Ascot in the Duke O Edinburgh Stakes, following a good win at Newmarket on good to firm when beating Global Storm (won next time out) and Grand Bazaar (reopposes). This course looks sure to suit Zabeel Champion, who is such a genuine type. Unibet's 15 To Go Free Bet Offer will run on this race.

Unibet 8/1 each way

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

Mishriff (nap) can take the Eclipse as a four-year-old and secure a victory for the John & Thady Gosden team on his first start since his win in Meydan in March when beating Chrono Genius (won next start) over one mile four furlongs in a Group 1 on turf. This success followed up on his victory in the Saudi Cup on dirt in February. Mishriff is bringing top class form to the Eclipse, is fine over this trip and is ground versatile too.

Unibet 11/8 win