Barney Roy, Cliffs Of Moher and Jack Hobbs among strong field seeking Eclipse glory
This year's three-year-old Classic form will face its first serious test at Sandown on Saturday as 2,000 Guineas runner-up Barney Roy and Epsom Derby runner-up Cliffs Of Moher clash against older Group One winners in the Coral Eclipse.
BARNEY ROY and Cliffs Of Moher are two of the star names among 16 horses confirmed for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday.
The Richard Hannon-trained Barney Roy was runner-up to Churchill in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May, but reversed the form when landing the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He will step up to a mile and a quarter for the first time this weekend and is one of two Godolphin-owned contenders along with John Gosden's Jack Hobbs, who was bitterly disappointing in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at the Royal meeting.
Cliffs Of Moher has had this race as his target ever since filling the runner-up spot in the Epsom Derby.
The Galileo colt heads a five-strong team for Aidan O'Brien, with the Ballydoyle handler also responsible for Deauville, Johannes Vermeer, Orderofthegarter and Taj Mahal.
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Other contenders for a fascinating contest include Martyn Meade's stable star Eminent, the Roger Charlton-trained Decorated Knight, Mark Johnston's King Edward VII Stakes victor Permian and Ulysses from Sir Michael Stoute's yard.