The Gurkha heads a seven-strong field for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday. Aidan O'Brien has saddled five previous winners of the Group 1 event, with Giant's Causeway (2000), Hawk Wing (2002) and most recently So You Think (2011) among those on the roll of honour for the master of Ballydoyle.

The Gurkha, so impressive in winning the French 2000 Guineas, had to make do with the runner-up spot behind Galileo Gold in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and now steps up to mile and a quarter for the first time.