Huge international entry for Eclipse

A record 33 international contenders have been entered for Sandown’s Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on July 2.

Of the total of 82 entries at the first stage, 19 are from Aidan O’Brien’s yard, including his 2000 and 1000 Guineas winners Footstepsinthesand and Virginia Waters.

Other Irish possibles are the John Oxx-trained Azamour, Dermot Weld’s Grey Swallow and Fracas from David Wachman’s yard.

There is also a strong French contingent including Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Bago and the Andre Fabre-trained pair of Diamond Green and Valixir.

Other notable foreign entries include the Australian horse, Elvstroem, winner of the 2005 Dubai Duty Free, as well as the Italian-trained pair of Altieri and Electrocutionist.

The home challenge is headed by Ed Dunlop’s multiple Group One winner Ouija Board, while Godolphin have 17 horses that include Dubawi, Doyen and Shamardal.

Other domestic hopes at this stage include the globetrotting Phoenix Reach, 2004 Vodafone Derby winner North Light, Michael Jarvis’s enigmatic Rakti and former top South African performer Yard-Arm, now trained by Michael Bell.

Andrew Cooper, director of racing at Sandown, said: “It is a fantastic initial entry and if even half the big names turn up it will be one hell of a spectacle.

“Once again I would like to thank Coral for their fantastic support of this race and am delighted that the initial entry is so strong.”