Vadeni entered for Eclipse defence at Sandown

Last year’s winner Vadeni leads the way with 48 horses entered for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on July 8.

Jean-Claude Rouget’s charge became the first French-trained winner since 1960 when fending off the now-retired Mishriff and Native Trail in a thrilling finish, with just half a length separating the trio at the end of 10 furlongs.

Sir Michael Stoute’s Champion Stakes hero Bay Bridge was third that day and he is entered for the Sandown Group One, along with stablemate Desert Crown, who has been off the track since winning the Derby at Epsom last June.

Vadeni, Bay Bridge and Desert Crown share the status of Coral’s 5-1 co-favourites with Charlie Appleby’s Adayar, who made an impressive return at Newmarket on Friday, and the Aidan O’Brien-trained Luxembourg, winner of the Irish Champion.

John and Thady Gosden have Group One winners Emily Upjohn and Nashwa in the entries, with Francesco Clemente – unbeaten in three but yet to be tried beyond handicap level – another key Clarehaven name.

The Owen Burrows-trained Anmaat chased home Adayar at Newmarket and he also features along with Greenham winner Isaac Shelby, last year’s Irish Derby champion Westover and Joseph O’Brien’s pair of Al Riffa and Buckaroo.

Aidan O’Brien dominates the contenders numerically with 13 entered, the Gosden team has five to pick from – the same number as Rouget – and Appleby having four possibles.