O’Brien’s big guns top Eclipse entries

ST NICHOLAS Abbey and Rip Van Winkle are among a 17-strong entry from Aidan O’Brien in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on July 3.

Rip Van Winkle was second in the event last year to Sea The Stars while if all goes well for St Nicholas Abbey in the StanJames.com 2000 Guineas Stakes and the Investec Derby, he would be following in the exact footsteps of John Oxx’s 2009 champion if he ended up in Esher.

Sandown received 67 entries at the first stage including last year’s Oaks first and second, Sariska and Midday and Dubai heroine Da Re Mi.