Group One Coral Eclipse Stakes Guide 2023

Joe Glayshier | @joeglayshier

Sandown - July 07 2023
Sandown 14:40
1(1)
Tom Marquand

Dubai Honour

J: Tom Marquand
T: William Haggas
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-9
OR: 122
Days: 69

William Haggas sends one runner to the Group One Coral Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday in the form of Dubai Honour. The five-year-old enters this contest on the back of finishing third in a group one contest at Sha Tin back in April. That was the gelding's first run of the new season, having run a couple of competitive races in 2022 at Kempton (second in G3 September Stakes) and York (second in G2 York Stakes). The five-year-old hasn't tasted success since winning three successive races back in 2021 at Newmarket, Deauville and ParisLongchamp (two G2's).

He has a good run in him and is certainly not dismissed, but the top two in the market look strong and tough to beat. Tom Marquand is booked to ride.

Sandown - July 07 2023
Sandown 14:40
3(3)
William Buick

Emily Upjohn

J: William Buick
T: John & Thady Gosden
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-6
OR: 120
Days: 36

John and Thady Gosden send one runner to this group one Sandown contest in the form of four-year-old Emily Upjohn. This Sea The Stars filly already boasts some impressive wins in her promising career so far, claiming success in the Group Three Musidora Stakes at York last May, the Group One Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes at Royal Ascot and most recently winning the Group One Coronation Cup at Epsom last month. This filly has plenty of ability and has performed very well in this sort of company, which bodes well for another shot at group one level.

The two at the top of the market, Emily Upjohn and Paddington look like the two to beat and it should be a fascinating contest. William Buick is booked to ride.

Sandown - July 07 2023
Sandown 14:40
2(4)
Jamie Spencer

West Wind Blows

J: Jamie Spencer
T: Simon & Ed Crisford
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-9
OR: 111
Days: 14

Simon and Ed Crisford boast one runner in the Group One Coral Eclipse on Saturday at Sandown with West Wind Blows. The four-year-old has had an inconsistent start to his career, winning five times at the likes of Hamilton (Listed Glasgow Stakes), ParisLongchamp (G3 Prince d'Orange) and the same venue again this term, winning the Group Three Prix La Coupe Stakes by just under two lengths. Some below-par runs have come in between those wins but a second-place finish in the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out provides encouragement for this one.

This will be tougher but all four runners here are to be respected. Jamie Spencer will do the steering,

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
11/11/23FLE10Gd9-49
21/10/23CAU12Gd8-72
07/10/23FLE10Gd8-132
26/08/23WDR10GF9-102
08/07/23SAN10Gd9-93
Sandown - July 07 2023
Sandown 14:40
4(2)
Ryan Moore

Paddington

J: Ryan Moore
T: A P O'Brien
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 8-13
OR: 123
Days: 18

Aiden O'Brien has one in the Group One Coral Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday in the form of Paddington. The three-year-old finished fifth on debut at Ascot last September but has followed that with five straight wins, which include the Listed Tetrarch Stakes at Curragh, the Group One Irish 1000 Guineas at the same venue and the Group One St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out. The colt has beaten some top horses in the process, including Chaldean and arrives here as the market favourite, slightly ahead of Emily Upjohn in the betting.

This looks set to be a top contest and Paddington is one of the leading players here. Ryan Moore will do the steering.