Star-Studded Field Lines Up for Eclipse

The French have traditionally regarded the July 2 Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) much like English cheese, taking the view both should be avoided in almost all circumstances.

Not since 1960 has Sandown's most prestigious flat race been won by a raider trained in France, while the nation has not even been represented for 17 years. The Aga Khan has claimed almost every major middle-distance prize apart from the Eclipse, which has also never been won by Jean-Claude Rouget or Christophe Soumillon.

For the owner, jockey, and trainer, a famous first triumph could be secured by their thrilling 3-year-old Vadeni .

The son of Churchill  had twice been defeated in group 3 company before breaking his Pattern duck at the same level at Chantilly in May. He was good then but immeasurably better at the same venue when completely outclassing 14 classic rivals in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (G1). Having traveled beautifully just in behind the leaders, Vadeni unleashed an explosive turn of foot that quickly propelled him clear. The final winning margin was five lengths, with Soumillon able to begin his celebrations 100 meters from the line.

With connections not certain the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) should be Vadeni's long-term aim, and mindful 10 furlongs might prove his optimum trip, a £50,000 supplementary entry has been made. It has placed Vadeni into a red-hot Eclipse, yet the manner of Vadeni's most recent success has been enough to put him at the top of the big-race betting.

"It's the right race to go for and he's well, so we'll take up the challenge," said Rouget.

"I expect good ground, not too fast, which is absolutely fine for him. I don't see any problems in terms of the set-up of the race and he'll be ridden off the pace to relax in the hope he can show his acceleration. We don't have any form lines with the others, so we'll see."

Javelot was the last horse to win the Eclipse for France 62 years ago, although the Francois Boutin-trained Trepan was a two-length victor in 1976 only to then be disqualified following a positive dope test.

The Aga Khan—whose grandfather bagged the last of his three Eclipses with Tulyar in 1952—has had only one British runner in the last three seasons, while he has not had a winner in Britain since the Pat Smullen-ridden Harzand landed the 2016 Derby (G1). He came closest to winning the Sandown group 1 in 2000, when Kalanisi came within a head of denying Giant's Causeway.

New Trip and a New Opportunity for Native Trail

One of the great joys of the Coral-Eclipse has been it historically provides racing fans with the first clash of the generations. One of the great fascinations of this particular Eclipse is how Native Trail  will fare.

The striking son of Oasis Dream  has been a marvelous 3-year-old but he was a slightly better 2-year-old. This is an opportunity to send his trajectory moving back in an upwards direction.

Last season's champion juvenile has done little wrong this term, winning the Bet365 Craven Stakes (G3) and Tattersalls Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1) either side of chasing home Godolphin stable companion Coroebus  at Newmarket. Even so, on both Racing Post Ratings and BHA ratings he has yet to match his Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (G1) tour de force in style or substance.

The key to unlocking even more from Native Trail could be this step up to a mile and a quarter. However, even trainer Charlie Appleby admits to uncertainty over whether the longer trip will be a help or hindrance.

Appleby said: "The question mark with Native Trail is the mile-and-a-quarter trip but you can take a few pieces out of his pedigree that suggest he has a chance of staying.

"More importantly, he is a strong 3-year-old who won't look out of place against his elders. It's a great race for 3-year-olds with the weight allowance and he goes to Sandown in excellent order.

"We are very much looking forward to seeing how he stacks up and whether we keep to this distance or drop back to a mile for the rest of the season."

Marquand Pondering Pace Question

The 2022 Eclipse is not short on quality but there is an absence of obvious early pace. This has already been recognized by Tom Marquand, but it is not worrying him as he prepares to partner the William Haggas-trained Alenquer .

None of the six runners have shown any liking for racing from the front, and although Alenquer did lead in last year's Arc, it was only for the first two furlongs.

Marquand knows a messy contest would not play to the strengths of the extremely likeable Alenquer, who struck in group 1 company for the first time when overhauling High Definition  at the end of a strongly-run Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1).

"There are no confirmed front-runners but there are confirmed stayers, which in a race like this is pretty much the same thing," said Marquand.

"I wouldn't say I would want to make the pace but, to be fair, our lad is pretty versatile. I don't think he would be fussed what you did on him, so long as it doesn't turn into a stupid two-furlong sprint—and I don't think it will because I think most of us would be in that same boat.

"Whether it's someone else who leads or me, I'm not really sure, but it's one of those races you could study for five hours and you still couldn't be sure who will go forward until the gates open."

Assessing Alenquer's claims, Marquand added: "It's an exceptional field and he does have to come forward again, but there's no reason why he shouldn't. The Curragh race was probably the first time we've started to get towards his true line of form. He is a genuine, tough scrapper—riding a horse like that makes my job easy."

Mishriff Entitled to Come on for Run Says Gosden

How quickly they forget.

It was only 11 months ago that Mishriff  produced an exceptional display to land the Juddmonte International (G1). He has been disappointing on both subsequent starts, yet on each occasion the racing surface provided an obvious excuse.

That said, he needed the outing when third here 12 months ago and joint-trainer John Gosden has again suggested this may not be the time to catch Mishriff at his best.

Even so, he is a much shorter price than stable companion—now reunited with his 2020 Prince of Wales's Stakes rider James Doyle following the split between the Gosden team and Frankie Dettori. The latter was in the saddle when Lord North left the stalls with the hood still covering his head at Royal Ascot last month.

John Gosden said: "Mishriff has been off since the Saudi Cup (G1). That race didn't pan out for him but it has always been the plan to bring him back here. Like last year, he is entitled to come on for the run, but we are pleased with his condition going into the race.

"There aren't many places to run Lord North unless you want to drop in class and carry penalties, which we don't want to do."