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.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing antepost horse racing betting odds.

Coral Eclipse Betting Odds

July Cup Betting Odds

Ladbrokes St Leger Betting Odds

Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe Betting Odds

When we told you yesterday that we couldn’t see Look Here outside the top three in the Coronation Cup, we were spot on! Unfortunately she finished in third, two noses behind Ask. It was a brilliant effort from the filly on her seasonal debut, she may even be worth an investment in the Arc. Stan James go 33/1.

There haven’t been any significant gambles in the Derby market this week, and surprisingly Rip Van Winkle hasn’t been well supported. Perhaps punters are looking to the other Aiden O’Brien runners for the value – Black Bear Island is into 8s from 9/1 earlier this week.

On that note I genuinely don’t feel that 4/7 for a Ballydoyle winner offers value.

3/1 Sea The Stars should cruise home on Timeform ratings, but I think that Debussy could spring the mother of all shocks. 79/1 is available on Betfair.

Another outsider, South Easter, has been declared a non-runner.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing Epsom odds:

Epsom Derby Betting

Investec Dash Betting

Derby Favourite Betting

Antepost Arc Betting

The Epsom Derby was won last year by Jim Bolger´s New Approach and it looks as if the prize will be retained by Ireland in 2009. The first seven in the betting are Irish raiders, most representing Aidan O´Brien.

The classic will be run over 1m4f at the Epsom Downs racecourse this Saturday at 3.45pm – coverage on BBC1. This year marks the start of a five year sponsorship by Investec.

Ballydoyle may have six runners, but Corals go evens that Sea The Stars will be sent off favourite.

O´Brien is 1/2 to saddle the winner and a giant 40/1 to train the first five home. Not out of the question.

10/3 Sea The Stars

We weren´t sure whether to back him for the English or Irish 2000 Guineas. I then backed him at 20/1 for the Irish Classic with Ladbrokes, only for him to go and win at Newmarket cosily.

At the time, Sea The Stars was 10/1 for The Derby – generous given that he is by Cape Cross. He should be even better for the Newmarket success, and New Approach proved that the Guineas is still the best Derby trial.

The John Oxx trained colt has been well backed from 4/1 recently. Mick Kinane is almost 50 years old, but believes the horse will stay. Not a bad price.

4/1 Fame And Glory

Johnny Murtagh rides Rip, even though Fame And Glory won the Irish Derby Trial by five lengths last month. Mourayan was disappointing that day, so he didn´t beat much. Stamina assured but will he handle the track?

9/2 Rip Van Winkle

Every punter must respect the Johnny Murtagh choice – he very rarely gets in wrong in Group One company. He has a soft spot for Rip Van Winkle, who has caught the eye in both the Dewhurst and the 2000 Guineas.

His dam is by a sprinter, but he definitely stayed on well at Newmarket behind Sea The Stars. Should place, so consider for the forecasts.

7/1 Gan Amhras

Any rain would be a positive, but Kevin Manning still has another great chance at Derby glory. Solid third in the 2000 Guineas, but he is another contender by Galileo that should relish the step up in distance. A decent each way bet.

9/1 Black Bear Island

Three of the last five Derby winners won the Dante beforehand and Tartan Bearer finished second last year. He has some other form in the book, but wasn´t hugely impressive in the Dante. Not a price I want to take.

16/1 Masterofthehorse

Only won once and was beaten fair and square in the Chester Vase. At the prices you´d have to take Golden Sword for the value. Richard Hughes rides.

25/1 Age Of Aquarius

I rate Pat Smullen as a jockey, but Age Of Aquarius was made to work hard to land the odds at Lingfield last time out.

25/1 Kite Wood

I fancy that Godolphin won´t win a British Classic this year, but Kite Wood is the pick of their crop.

He showed much promise for Michael Jarvis, but was only fifth in this year´s Dante at York. He´ll come on for that, but he does tend to get warm before the race. If he drifts out I may stick a quid or two if I can get 33/1 or bigger.

Frankie Dettori is a safe pair of hands.

33/1 Crowded House

Drifted out to 2/1 in the Dante and ran a shocker. Connections didn´t think he´d need the run, so I don´t think that backers should really persevere with this one, even if 33s is a whopping price. Don´t put the house on Crowded, despite what you read in the tabloids this Saturday.

40/1 Golden Sword

Value for his 40/1(Ladbrokes) and not given enough credit for his Chester Vase success (25/1). Doesn´t need soft ground.

50/1 Montaff

Finished only a neck behind Age Of Aquarius in the Lingfield Derby trial, but will need to show even more improvement to get involved in this tougher contest.

50/1 South Easter

Neil Callan is getting tips from the great Lester Piggott for his first Derby, but South Easter won´t be the one to spoil the Irish parade. His sire, Galileo, won the Derby in 2001.

66/1 Debussy

Stayed on in the Chester Vase and has Epsom form which is a HUGE bonus. You would kick yourself if John Gosden won the Derby – he has been in terrific form this year. Jimmy Fortune could land this in the same colours as New Approach; there are worse each way punts out there.

Recommendation:

1. 66/1 Debussy (Must be backed each way, Ladbrokes)

2. 40/1 Golden Sword (Could be anything, cheeky punt here)

3. 25/1 Kite Wood (Try to find at least 33s before race)

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing Epsom odds:

Epsom Derby Betting

Epsom Oaks Betting

Derby Favourite Betting