Derby winner City Of Troy to face seven rivals as declarations are made for Saturday's Coral-Eclipse at Sandown

City Of Troy will face seven rivals as he bids to complete an illustrious Derby and Eclipse double in Sandown's prestigious contest on Saturday (3.35).

Last year's champion juvenile put his 2,000 Guineas flop behind him when a brilliant winner of the Epsom Classic last month, and faces his elders for the first time in the 1m2f Group 1. His task has been made easier with the omission of market rival White Birch, who was ruled out of the race on Wednesday.

City Of Troy aims to join an elite roll of honour of Derby winners who followed up in the Eclipse, which includes the great Sea The Stars and Golden Horn nine years ago. He will once again be ridden by Ryan Moore and is one of two runners for Aidan O'Brien. 

The Ballydoyle trainer also saddles rank outsider Hans Andersen, while stablemates Luxembourg and Continuous were not declared.

Dancing Gemini, who will be ridden by Kieran Shoemark for the first time, and Ghostwriter also represent the Classic generation. The latter runs for trainer Clive Cox and owner Jeff Smith, who will also be represented by outsider See The Fire.

Ghostwriter won the Royal Lodge Stakes last year and notably finished ahead of City Of Troy when fourth in the 2,000 Guineas, before filling that same position in the Prix du Jockey Club. The going was heavy at Chantilly that day, but the colt is expected to benefit from the return to quicker ground.

His trainer Clive Cox said: "We hoped he’d deal with what we thought would be just slightly easier ground in France, but the times were reflective of proper soft ground and I think it just took a little bit of his punch away from him.

"We are pleased to remain at a mile and a quarter and we are very much looking forward to Saturday. I see no reason why Sandown won’t suit him."

Hampton Court Stakes winner Jayarebe, Group 1-winning juvenile Al Riffa and Stay Alert complete the field.

Jayarebe was one of two winners for trainer Brian Meehan at Royal Ascot and he hopes he has what it takes to put it up to City Of Troy. Meehan previously won the Coral-Eclipse in 2006 with David Junior.

He said: "I know they thought King’s Gambit was an unlucky loser at Royal Ascot, but Sean (Levey) committed Jayarebe early and he hit the line strong. We ran a very straightforward race and I don’t think you could say we were lucky winners.

"He’s very progressive and apart from Chester, where he didn’t handle the track, he’s done nothing wrong. He’s very very good and he’s going to keep improving."

Coral-Eclipse confirmed runners and riders

Al Riffa Dylan Browne McMonagle
Hans Andersen Wayne Lordan
Stay Alert David Egan
City Of Troy Ryan Moore
Dancing Gemini Kieran Shoemark
Ghostwriter Richard Kingscote
Jayarebe Sean Levey
See The Fire David Probert

Coral-Eclipse (3.35 Sandown, Saturday)
Coral: 1-3 City Of Troy, 13-2 Dancing Gemini, Ghostwriter, 12 Jayarebe, 25 Al Riffa, 40 Stay Alert, See The Fire, 66 Hans Andersen

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