O'Brien pair head Eclipse entries

Rock Of Gibraltar and Hawk Wing, first and second in Saturday`s Sagitta 2000 Guineas, head an amazing 33 entries from Aidan O`Brien`s Ballydoyle yard for the Coral Eurobet Eclipse Stakes which takes place at Sandown on July 6th.

The mile and a quarter event in which three-year-old`s take on older horses for the first time in top company has attracted a total of 87 entries, 11 more than last year and the highest level for seven years.

O`Brien is bidding for his second success in the race following the victory of Giant`s Causeway, in 2000.

Other O`Brien representatives include Johannesburg, who won last season`s Breeders` Cup Juvenile and finished eighth in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, Vodafone Derby second favourite High Chaparral, who took last season`s Group One Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, and Quarter Moon, who looks one of the stable`s main Vodafone Oaks hopes.

Godolphin have 18 entries in the race they have won three times before.

Sir Michael Stoute, who has won the Eclipse on four occasions has entered five - No Excuse Needed, Carnival Dancer, Dilshaan, Vodafone Derby runner-up Golan, and King Of Happiness.

Last season`s Dubai Champion Stakes hero Nayef from the Lambourn yard of Marcus Tregoning could also bid to emulate his half-brother Nashwan, successful in 1989.

France is represented by two entries, the Francois Doumen-trained Jim And Tonic and Banks Hill, trained by Andre Fabre, the brilliant winner of last season`s Breeders` Cup Filly And Mare Turf.

Andrew Cooper, group racing director at United Racecourses, said today: 'We could scarcely have asked for a better set of entries for this year`s race.'