Sandown’s Coral Eclipse Day

Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece I’m previewing the four ITV races on Sandown’s Coral Eclipse Day.

General Election Update

Before getting onto Sandown’s Coral Eclipse Day, here’s a quick update on the result of the General Election. Depending on your politics, you’re either celebrating Labour’s huge victory in terms of seats or drowning your sorrows. Regardless of how you feel, I hope you followed my GE betting advice:

• Conservative Party to get 100-149 seats: £38 win – 13/8 @ Paddy Power.
• Reform Party to get 5-6 seats: £16 win – 11/2 with William Hill.

I was sweating on the Reform Party winning Basildon South and East Thurrock, which they did by just 98 votes. It was like waiting for the result of a photo finish, but one that lasted more than 12 hours due to a full recount.

Anyway, I’ve banked a good profit from a handful of bets. We have a Labour landslide, yet at the constituency level, seats are tighter than at any point since 1945. This means there are going to be some profitable betting opportunities in the future. This GE has reignited my political betting enthusiasm, so watch this space.

Now, onto Saturday’s racing…

Sandown’s Coral Eclipse Day

If you want a quick guide to Sandown racecourse you can find a good one here.

1:50 – Coral Charge (Group 3) – 5f

Live In The Dream and Desperate Hours should ensure a well-run race. Live In The Dream’s speed might be affected by ease in the ground, but if he can reproduce last season’s Nunthorpe performance, he’s still the one to beat. Desperate Hours, having won his last two starts in handicap company, is well worth his place in Group company, with his chances improving with more rain. Twilight Calls, dropping in class after his 3 ¼ length 6th in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot, could sharpen up with first-time cheekpieces but prefers good or quicker ground. Apollo One, a high-class sprint handicapper, has each-way claims in a strongly run race, though he might be better over 6f. Makarova, just ½ length behind Twilight Calls at Royal Ascot, handles easy ground and looks likely to get the fast run race that suits. Her yard won this race in 2021.

2:25 – Coral Challenge (Handicap) (Class 2) – 1m

Two Tempting, Classic, and Dual Identity were first, second, and third respectively in a C&D handicap last time. The winner got first run on Classic and Dual Identity, but I fancy the latter pair to finish in front this time around. Both Classic and Dual Identity perform well at Sandown, and I slightly prefer Dual Identity at the prices. Holloway Boy was unlucky not to finish closer than fifth in the Royal Hunt Cup, making him a strong contender on good or quicker ground. Magic Memories, who won at Yarmouth 24 days ago, suits soft ground and could be in the mix if the conditions are favourable.

Topweight Cicero's Gift, making his handicap debut, is arguably the most intriguing runner. He was unbeaten in three starts last season and had no luck in the Group 1 St James’ Palace Stakes. He has a tough mark but might defy it if ready after a 382-day absence.

3:00 – Coral Distaff (Listed Race) (Fillies) – 1m

Clove Hitch looked much improved when winning a 1m fillies' novice at Newbury 23 days ago. She should prove up to winning at Listed level. Soprano improved to land the valuable Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot, but Indelible, who was fourth in the same race, might reverse the form. Regal Jubilee, runner-up in the Group 3 Fred Darling, was outclassed in the 1,000 Guineas but returned to form when second in a Listed race at Goodwood. The drop back to a mile shouldn't inconvenience her, making her a contender.

3:35 – Coral-Eclipse (Group 1) – 1m 2f

Eight horses remain in the weekend’s big race, which is a bit surprising. If the ground turns soft, less than eight might line up, eliminating the each-way angle.  I covered the race in Wednesday’s column so if you haven’t seen it you can read it here.

Without White Birch, this should be a procession for Derby winner City Of Troy. The drop back to 1m 2f shouldn’t inconvenience the colt, making him the one to beat. Dancing Gemini might benefit from the drop back to 1m 2f after finishing sixth in the Derby. Ghostwriter, who finished ahead of City Of Troy when fourth in the 2,000 Guineas and held the same position in the French Derby, would be interesting on quick ground. Al Riffa, an each-way contender on easier ground, was a ¾ length runner-up to Arc winner Ace Impact last summer and was encouragingly ½ length runner-up in the Group 1 Prix Ganay on his seasonal return. He wasn’t at his best on fast ground in America last time, and while 1m 2f might be on the short side, favourable underfoot conditions could see him get into the money.

Sandown’s Coral Eclipse Day Selection

Sandown’s Coral Eclipse Day selection is Al Riffa. Back him either each-way or 5/1 with William Hill in the without City Of Troy market.

Good luck with your Saturday bets.

John