Minding tops acceptors for Coral-Eclipse at Sandown

Investec Oaks winner Minding is one of 39 left in the £475,000 Group 1 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Park on July 2nd after this week's scratching stage.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained filly, who sealed a Classic double when winning at Epsom last Friday, is joined by a whole host of big names including Qipco 2,000 Guineas winner Galileo Gold and Investec Derby runner-up US Army Ranger.

As well as Minding and US Army Ranger, Irish Champion trainer O'Brien has left in the extremely impressive Poule D'Essai Des Poulains (Group 1) winner The Gurkha. The Galileo colt is set to line up in the St James's Palace Stakes over a mile at Royal Ascot but could make a step up in trip to a mile and a quarter following that run. Champion mare and Breeders Cup Turf winner Found is another notable entry for Ballydoyle.

2015's Champion trainer John Gosden has three horses still engaged, including Wings of Desire, this year's Dante Stakes winner and Investec Derby fourth, along with Western Hymn and Royal Artillery. 

Investec Derby-winning trainer Dermot Weld will be resting his hopes on Fascinating Rock. The Qipco Champion Stakes winner was last seen when beating Found in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.

France could be represented by the Andre Fabre-trained New Bay and Garlingari for Mme Corine Barande-Barbe. Multiple Group winner New Bay took home last year's Prix du Jockey Club whilst Garlingari was last seen when finishing second in the Grand Prix De Chantilly (Group 2). 

17 of the 39 remaining entries for this year's Coral-Eclipse are three-year-olds and the race represents their first opportunity to take on older horses at Group 1 Level.

Andrew Cooper, Head of Racing and Clerk of the Course, Sandown Park Racecourse, said: "We are thrilled with the quality of horses remaining in this year's Coral-Eclipse.  This will be the 41st year that Coral have sponsored the Eclipse, which is a wonderful achievement and we are hugely grateful to them for their long and continued support.  The Coral-Eclipse is the pinnacle of Sandown Park's flat racing calendar and we look forward to another exciting renewal this year."

Dave Stevens, Head of PR at Coral, added: "It's a typically star-studded entry for our flagship flat racing sponsorship, and the first opportunity for the generations to clash over a longer distance, with the Classic winners Galileo Gold and Minding leading the way for the three-year-olds. It is incredibly close at the top of the market, with four horses, Fascinating Rock, Minding, New Bay and Time Test all sharing 6/1 favouritism.''