Racing
Who are the four Coral Eclipse 2021 entries?
Saturday sees the 2021 Group 1 Coral Eclipse at Sandown and what the race lacks in runners, it more than makes up for in quality. Just four horses are set to head to post but they include the high-class Mishriff and St Mark’s Basilica who has looked to be one of the top three-year-olds so far this season. We’ve taken a closer look at all four Coral Eclipse entries in what should be a fascinating renewal.
Coral Eclipse entries 2021
Mishriff
Mishriff landed the French Derby last season and has racked up the air miles in 2021 to land two Group 1 contests.
He defied his inexperience on dirt to land the Saudi Cup in January and then returned to the turf for success in the Sheema Classic at Meydan in March.
Chrono Genesis and Loves Only You were 2nd at 3rd at Meydan and they’ve since won Grade 1 contests in Japan and Hong Kong respectively to give Mishriff’s Sheema victory a massive form boost.
He arrives at at Sandown after a three-month break and he’ll be primed for a big run at the 2021 Coral Eclipse by John and Thady Gosden and currently looks the one to beat.
St Mark’s Basilica
St Mark’s Basilica is a shining star in 2021 for Ballydoyle and he arrives at the Coral Eclipse having already pocketed the French 2000 Guineas and French Derby this season.
He ended last season with victory in the Dewhurst and he now gets to mix it with the older horses for the first time.
With just four runners, there could be a lack of pace in the race and that would play into St Mark’s Basilica’s hands as he looks to have plenty of gears. Chuck into the mix that he also receives 10lbs from Mishriff and Addeybb and he looks to also have an excellent chance on Saturday.
Addeybb
Another who has been globetrotting in 2021, Addeybb has already tasted Group 1 success with victory in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick in April.
He also showed his versatility at the end of last season to land the Champions Stakes at Ascot on deep ground and with some cut in the ground expected on Eclipse day, he could have conditions to suit.
He is the only horse in the field with Sandown winning form and could well be the value pick of the 2021 Coral Eclipse entries on Saturday.
El Drama
Trained by Roger Varian, El Drama is the outsider of the field on Saturday and is the lowest-rated of the 2021 Coral Eclipse entries. He’s had four runs so far this season, including a win in the Dee Stakes at Chester at the start of May.
El Drama stepped up into Group 1 company after that and headed to the French Derby but disappointed at Chantilly – fading late on to finish 15th of 19 runners in a race won by St Mark’s Basilica.
He’s still a three-year-old though and, interestingly, connections are happy to have another crack at Group 1 company. There is no doubt more to come from El Drama but it would be a huge shock if he was to grab victory on Saturday.
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