*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
The 2022 Coral-Eclipse looks set to be a red-hot affair – but who do Paddy’s pundits fancy to land the lucrative Group 1?
A small-but-select field of six horses will go to post for Saturday’s 3.35pm at Sandown including French Derby winner Vadeni and Irish 2000 Guineas hero Native Trail for the Classic generation.
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The older horses have to concede the considerable weight-for-age allowance but the likes of Tattersalls Gold Cup scorer Alenquer and last season’s Juddmonte International champ Mishriff bring plenty of class to the track.
To help you separate the wheat from the chaff, Paddy’s pundits have delivered their Coral-Eclipse tips and best bets which you can find below.
Coral-Eclipse tips
Matt Chapman: A smaller field than many anticipated and I’m all over the French raider VADENI for Jean-Claude Rouget and Christophe Soumillon. The French Derby hero is very lightly raced and appears to be improving fast considering that facile Chantilly success. Native Trail is fascinating up in trip, and some feel he’s been gagging for the longer distance, but I’m confident my selection will be too good and can sit and pounce in a race where there is no obvious front-runner. I’d expect Vadeni to sit behind Alenquer and taker advantage of the weight difference close home.
Rory Delargy: The field is cut up to good horses, but a few of these would be dependent on a good pace to show their best form. Bay Bridge was caught out running a steady pace at Ascot, and it would also be a negative for Lord North and for Native Trail. The horse who’s probably best equipped to quicken off a slow pace is VADENI, and my only concern with him, is he might be on much faster ground than he’s raced on before. It’s not the easiest race to punt on because there’s questions about how strong the pace will be, but it’s probably not going to be strong, and as it stands Vadeni is the one who has the most appeal and has the least questions to answer.
Mick Fitzgerald: I love these races and over the years there has been some odd results. Some short-priced favourites have been beaten, and there have been some fantastic performances when so-called good things get turned over because Sandown is not every horse’s cup of tea. ALENQUER won a tough race for the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh, no mean feat when the two of the horses he beat both came to Royal Ascot and won group ones. Don’t forget he beat subsequent derby winner Adaayar in the Classic Trial at the track.
Vadeni looked good when bolting up in the French Derby, but we don’t have much collateral form to go on. Native Trail is a horse I love – I just worry that when he got in front at the Curragh, he wandered and pulled up. That will cost him at Sandown if he does that.
Timeform: None can be ruled out in a fascinating Eclipse yet it’s hard to side against VADENI who was a sparkling winner of the Prix du Jockey Club and can reward connections’ decision to supplement him for £50,000 in the week. Bay Bridge saw his winning spree ended at Royal Ascot but shouldn’t be written off provided ground conditions remain with some ease, while high-class miler Native Trail can’t be discounted now he steps up in trip and it would come as no surprise to see Mishriff bounce back.
Jason Weaver: NATIVE TRAIL is possibly a little bit unlucky to have lost his unbeaten record at headquarters but made no mistake stepping back into the winner’s enclosure over in Ireland. He wasn’t overly impressive over the mile but hit the line strongly suggesting that this mile and a quarter uphill finish is absolutely tailor made for him. In receipt of the weight for age allowance, the three-year-old can dominate proceedings.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Saturday’s Tips
- Horse Racing Tips: Rory Delargy’s slick picks for Saturday’s ITV Racing
- Horse Racing Tips: Through Saturday’s ITV Racing action with Matt Chapman
- Horse Racing Tips: Saturday’s ITV Racing preview with Mick Fitzgerald
- Horse Racing Tips: Jason Weaver’s fine fancies for Saturday’s ITV Racing
Read More
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest racing tips
- When is the Coral-Eclipse 2022? Sandown date, start time, runners & betting
- Coral-Eclipse runner-by-runner guide as Vadeni faces 5 rivals at Sandown on Saturday
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