Nine to fight out Eclipse

Nine horses have been declared at today`s 48-hour stage for the Stg#325,000 Coral Eurobet Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.

Black Minnaloushe heads a team of three from Aidan O`Brien as the champion Irish trainer bids to follow up last year`s success with Giant`s Causeway.

Mick Kinane, who missed the ride on Giant`s Causeway through injury 12 months ago, partners the Entenmann`s 2000 Guineas and St James`s Palace Stakes winner in the first major clash of the season between the generations.

Johnny Murtagh successful in both those Group One races on Black Minnaloushe who was at the time rejected by Kinane, will be on Bach while Paul Scallan gets the leg up on Darwin.

Godolphin, who have taken the prize three times in recent years, will be double-handed. Vodafone Derby third Tobougg, the mount of Frankie Dettori, is the first string with Daragh O`Donohoe on Broche.

Pick of the older horses is the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Medicean. The four-year-old steps up to a mile and a quarter for only the second time following his wins in the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes and the Queen Anne Stakes over a mile.

Compton Admiral, plagued by injury since he sprang a 20-1 surprise in this race two years ago, has been taken out by trainer Gerard Butler.

Another notable absentee is Distant Music with trainer Barry Hills having other races in mind for the colt.

'He might be aiming to go elsewhere with him, looking further ahead,' a stable spokesman said today.

Michael Jarvis has declared Holding Court but last year`s French Derby winner will only run if there is sufficient rain.

A stable spokesman said: 'The horse is ready to run and we hope that it rains enough for him to take his chance.'