3:35 Sandown Tips

The 4yo colt has 5 wins from 6 career runs, his only defeat was a close 2nd during May on his return from a 9 month break. He was an impressive 2L winner of a strong Group 1 at Royal Ascot, made the more impressive as he was stuck in a pocket 2f out and it was stop/start/switch about three times before he got daylight. He’ll be hard to beat in this Group 1 if in the same mood.

Until the Derby, Delacroix was regarded as Aidan O'Brien's best three-year-old colt and was Ryan Moore's choice for the Derby and favourite for the race. He suffered early interference and was never going on the course afterwards, so should be given another chance in the Eclipse to show how he rates against older horses and Hotazhell, who beat him a nose last year at Doncaster.

Ruling Court has been brought back to the racecourse surprisingly quick, but I'm keen on having this horse wherever he runs. He was trained for the Derby over 1m4f, but he was taken out the same day due to the conditions. Ten days later, he was asked to run in the St James's Palace over 1m. So this horse was trained for 1m4f since the Guineas, but with a last-second change of plans, had to run over the distance, which was obviously too short on the day. I thought he still ran well for the conditions, and he'll have a fair chance here.

Hotazhell seems a crazy price for this, albeit very competitive looking Group 1 Eclipse. His form matches up with anything else in the race and he should come on for his 4 length third behind Field of Gold in the Irish 2000 Guineas first time out. The ground may be a concern, but he is by Too Darn Hot who's progeny seem to act very well on good to firm ground. His rating of 117, with the weight he gets from the 4 year olds, means he is rated only 1lb behind the odds on favourite Ombudsman, who may have been flattered by his win at Royal Ascot.