Eclipse set for Kempton

Royal Ascot winner Corrib Eclipse looks set to have his first start over timber at Kempton on Saturday.

The Jamie Poulton-trained six-year-old has been entered for the totesport.com Novices’ Hurdle at the Surrey venue and is quoted as a 33-1 chance for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle (formerly the Stayers’) at the Cheltenham Festival.

“He will run as long as he scopes better than he did last week. I will make a final decision tomorrow,” Poulton said today. “His run is also ground dependent – he won’t run on soft but good to soft or better will be fine.

“He has been schooling very well, has jumped very nicely and I have been very happy with him.

“He is doing very well and looks great but I have had one or two sore throats in the yard and I have been taking each day as it comes.

“I entered him for the World Hurdle this morning and would ideally like to give him two runs before Cheltenham – but it all depends on the ground.”

Corrib Eclipse landed three of his 10 starts on the level – including the Queen Alexandra Stakes, which gave Poulton his first winner at the Royal meeting.

The Double Eclipse gelding is also no stranger to Prestbury Park, having finished 10th in the Champion Bumper at last year’s Festival.