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Coral-Eclipse News: "Form in the book" Mishriff the one to beat says Egan

Mishriff is a true top level contender but an outsider for the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at at Sandown on Saturday, July 2. That shows the race's quality but he shouldn't be dismissed says David Egan.

David Egan reckons backers who ignore Mishriff will do so at their peril as the mega-money horse prepares to run in the Coral Eclipse-Stakes at Sandown on Saturday, July 2.

A last place finish in this year's Saudi Cup may have put off punters but John and Thady Gosden's globetrotter has plenty of top level wins to his name.

Jockey David Egan, who will ride Mishriff at Sandown, suggests the conditions in Riyadh for the Saudi Cup may not have suited.

"He didn't jump as well, we asked him to get a prominent position and the pace was fierce - the winner came from a long way back. Mr Gosden said he also got a bit kickback, which might have affected him" said Egan.
"He didn't seem himself, but his preparation has been good and as it was last year, the Eclipse seems the obvious place for him to have his comeback run."
"I've sat on him a number of times over the last couple of weeks and he feels in good form and tuned up and ready to go," the jockey added.
"People have possibly written him off before and he's bounced back better than ever on a number of occasions. He's an exciting horse in that sense, knowing he can do that.
"He's the highest-rated horse in the race on paper and on figures he's the one to beat."
The rider is aware of the difficulty of conceding 10 pounds to French Derby winner Vadeni and Irish 2000 Guineas champion Native Trail at Sandown.
Egan said: "It's hard to give 10lb away to improving three-year-olds at this time of year, but Mishriff has got the form in the book.
"It's a small field, but it's a boutique field and you could build a case for any horse in the race.
"Vadeni was impressive and any Classic winner you have to respect. He had the French Derby won at the two-furlong pole and while it's a flat track at Chantilly, the way he it the line strong it didn't look like stiff finish a Sandown would effect him. It will be interesting to see him on top of the ground.
"Native Trail is a tough competitor. What he was doing last year was phenomenal when physically he was so much more advanced than all the other horses.
"Possibly the others are starting to catch up, but he was very impressive at the Curragh and he was a good second in the Guineas (at Newmarket) - you can't fault him in any way. He's stepping up to a mile and a quarter on a stiff track, so it's going to be a bit of an unknown for him."

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