Sandown: 2010 Coral Eclipse Betting Preview

Just six horses go to post in this Saturday’s Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park, supposedly one of the best flat races of the season. The 1m2f race has Group 1 status, but punters will be disappointed will the declared field of six. For a race that has been won by the likes of Dancing Brave, Daylami and Sea The Stars in recent years, the sponsors would have hoped to attract better horses than this bunch. That said, one of these will cross the finishing line in first place a couple of minutes after 3.10pm – so the question is, which one?

2/1 Twice Over

Twice Over is one of two horses representing owner Khalid Abdullah, but this one has been a stronger fancy in the ante-post market for the Coral Eclipse. Ran a fair second to Byword at Royal Ascot and his turn of foot could be lethal in such a poor Group 1. 2/1 with Ladbrokes is a pretty short price considering his participation was in doubt over the feared fast ground…

5/2 Dar Re Mi

Mares have a poor record in the race, but Dar Re Mi is a pretty special one, as she proved by winning the Sheema Classic earlier this year. I just feel she is better over one and a half miles, so I’d rather wait to back her for the Arc at 20/1 with Sporting Bet. Take her on at the prices.

9/2 Zacinto

Zacinto is something of an enigma, as he tends to follow up a cracking run with a disappointing one. Connections are right to step him up in trip to 1m2f, especially as he has already twice been beaten by the mighty Goldikova. He has stamina in his pedigree and appears to stay the mile well enough. Ryan Moore’s mount attracted money earlier this week which is significant, but punters are taking a risk that he has an off day. Is that factored into the current odds of 9/2 (Bet 365)?

7/1 Mawatheeq

This cracking horse was very progressive indeed last season, and ended up finishing an unlucky second in the Champion Stakes to Twice Over. His reappearance at Royal Ascot was disappointing, but he could be a different horse on Saturday. My one concern with Mawa is his stable’s patchy form.

7/1 Viscount Nelson

Finished fifth in the French Derby at a huge price and was thrashed by Canford Cliffs in the Irish Guineas. I don’t think he’s classy enough to win an Eclipse, but that won’t stop Johnny Murtagh’s fans from backing Nelson. Murtagh actually chose Cape Blanco in the French Derby, which tells you where Viscount Nelson falls in the Aidan O’Brien pecking order. Nevertheless, the trainer has won this race four times in the last 10 years.

33/1 Sri Putra

A Group 2 standard horse on a going day, but given this shoddy field he isn’t the worst 33/1 shot in the world in a six horse race. Trainer Michael Jarvis has reported him to be working well – in which case he could stun punters on Saturday afternoon. Or trail home in last place.

Conclusion

Negatives for all the runners, but one of them has to win it. Twice Over is a solid pick, but ZACINTO makes more appeal at double the odds. Dar Re Mi could get outpaced, and outsider Sri Putra could pick up the pieces on a going day.