Equerry backed for Eclipse

Godolphin`s unbeaten colt Equerry was today the best horse backed for the Coral Eurobet Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.

The four-year-old, a five-times winner in France, is now only an 11-2 chance with the sponsors having been 7-1.

The ante-post gamble coincides with a forecast of heavy rain in the Sandown area over the next couple of days. Most of Equerry`s form has been on softer ground.

However, the going at Sandown today remained good to firm.

'Equerry is the only horse we have laid against the favourite and he will start a far shorter price on Saturday if Dettori opts to ride him,' predicted Coral spokesman Simon Clare.

It was a similar story with Ladbrokes, who cut Equerry to 8-1 from 10-1.

Godolphin could also be represented in the Group One event by Noverre.

The four-year-old worked well in a gallop at Newmarket today, pulling clear of last year`s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner Summoner.

Noverre, who has yet to race over the big race trip of a mile and a quarter is 9-2 second favourite at 9-2 with Coral and 6-1 with Ladbrokes.

Other horses to attract support with Ladbrokes today were David Elsworth`s Indian Creek, who is 10-1 from 12-1 and Bach.

The Aidan O`Brien-trained five-year-old finished a close third behind Medicean and Grandera in the Eclipse 12 months ago and is the stable`s second string to odds-on favourite Hawk Wing.

Coral bet: 4-7 Hawk Wing, 9-2 Noverre, 11-2 Equerry, 7-1 No Excuse Needed, Equerry, 10-1 Olden Times, 12-1 Indian Creek, 14-1 Kutub, 16-1 Bach, 25-1 Sholokhov, 33-1 bar.

Ladbrokes bet: 2-5 Hawk Wing, 6-1 Noverre, 8-1 No Excuse Needed, Equerry, 10-1 Indian Creek, 14-1 Bach, 16-1 Olden Times, Sholokhov, 33-1 bar.