Eclipse Day: Best bet, each-way selection and treble
Recommended bets include: Constitution River to win the Coral-Eclipse Excellent Believe each-way in the Coral Challenge
The top-class racing action continues as we head deeper into the summer months and Sandown takes centre stage on Saturday, with the highly prestigious Eclipse.
The main event is a 1m2f Group 1 which is open to horses aged three and upwards and it is the first opportunity for three-year-olds to take on their elders in the middle-distance division.
Here is everything you need to know about Sandown's Saturday card, including five tips from across the seven races.
Key info
First race: 13:50 Coral Charge Feature race: 15:35 Coral-Eclipse
Action begins with the Group 3 Coral Charge (13:50) and it is shaping up to be a cracker, with Group 1 winner Asfoora leading a competitive 10-runner field.
Next up is the £120,000 Coral Challenge (14:25) and the mile event has attracted a maximum field of 17 and it is going to be a thoroughly competitive affair.
The Listed Distaff Stakes (15:00) is next on the agenda, with the race of the day following after.
Aidan O'Brien's Constitution River heads the field for the Coral-Eclipse and Gethin is the leading danger from the home team’s point of view.
Sandown's card closes out with another three handicaps, the best of which is the concluding Coral Celebrating 100 Years Handicap (17:22).
Best bet of the day
Constitution River to win the Coral-Eclipse (15:35) @ 11/10 with LiveScore Bet
Aidan O’Brien has made an excellent start to the season and his exceptional crop of three-year-olds have played a big part in that success. Both of his representatives have massive chances here, but Ryan Moore has made the right choice with Constitution River.
The only defeat of his career so far came on debut and he has won all four of his subsequent starts. Landing the Futurity Stakes at the Curragh as a juvenile, he was not seen for the rest of the season due to a setback.
He made a glorious return to action when bolting up by seven lengths in the Dee Stakes at Chester and the form has worked out well. The son of Wootton Bassett overcame a terrible draw to win the French Derby at Chantilly last time out and is subsequently the one to beat.
Best each-way bet of the day
Excellent Believe in the Coral Challenge (14:25) @ 33/1 with Livescore Bet
Jack Channon's Excellent Believe is still potentially unexposed, having had just 10 starts in total and this race will be just his third start in handicap company. Getting off the mark at the second time of asking he landed a Nottingham novice by five lengths last term.
His first foray into handicaps was a successful one and he landed a competitive race at Haydock off a mark of 95 in August. The four-year-old's next four starts came in Group 3 or Listed company and he acquitted himself well, despite failing to win.
He was drawn on the wrong side at Royal Ascot last time and, although he was a bit below-par, the handicapper has responded by dropping him 3lb. This race looks potentially a little easier and he has the ability to make his presence felt.
Eclipse Day acca
Accumulators are always popular and we have got you covered. Here are three strong fancies across the card and they combine to form a 32/1 treble.
Bet 1: Back Words Of Truth to win the Coral Charge (13:50) @ 3/1
Charlie Appleby had a very disappointing Royal Ascot but tends to thrive at this stage of the season and Mill Reef Stakes winner Words Of Truth can get the job done for him here. He won a course and distance Listed race last time out and should be going close once again.
Bet 2: Back Sacred Ground to win the Coral Distaff (15:00) @ 3/1
John & Thady Gosden's Sacred Ground has been very competitive at Listed level this season and she came very close to winning when second over 1m2f last time out. The drop back in trip could help and a return to winning ways is anticipated.
Bet 3: Back Constitution River to win the Coral-Eclipse (15:35) @ 11/10
Constitution River did very well to win the Prix du Jockey Club from a very bad position last time out and the progressive colt could be very special.
