Dubai: Dubai-owned horses have an impressive record in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes, the first major Group 1 contest for horses from different generations, and will hope to build on that in today's open-looking renewal of the race at Sandown Park.
Three of the nine intended runners in the mile and quarter race carry the expectations of Dubai's Maktoum family, who between then have triumphed 11 times in the past 20 years.
Godolphin are set to be represented by last month's Royal Ascot hero Campanalogist and former French champion Literato, while the evergreen Maraahel represents Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.
The Dubai-owned Godolphin stable have won the Eclipse four times, including most recently with Refuse To Bend in 2004, while Shaikh Hamdan's colours were last seen carried to victory in the race when Nashwan and Elmaamul triumphed in 1989-'90.
Their six rivals are led by the Henry Cecil trained pair Phoenix Tower and Multidimensional and Mount Nelson who represents the formidable Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien.
Sir Michael Stoute, who won the Eclipse 12 months ago with Notnowcato trains Maraahel and another stable stalwart Rob Roy.
Hoping for rain
Godolphin's retained rider Frankie Dettori has opted to ride Campanologist while Darryl Holland has been booked to partner Literato, who trainer Saeed Bin Surour has warned will not run unless there is rain.
Campanologist won the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot but will have to improve if he is to repeat in the premier division.
Bin Surour was looking froward to securing his fifth success in the Eclipse after Halling (1995-'96), Daylami (1998) and Refuse To Bend (2004).
The trainer said: "Both our horses are in good form. Campanologist won very well last time at Royal Ascot and he likes good to firm ground, but Literato would prefer it soft. We are waiting for the weather forecast then we will decide, but I'm happy with both of them."
