Vadeni is aiming to become the first French-trained winner of the Coral-Eclipse Stakes in over 60 years after being supplemented for Saturday's Group 1 showpiece.
At a cost of £50,000, the colt, owned by the Aga Khan and trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, was added to the Sandown field. The five-length winner of the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly is 13-8 favourite for his next big assignment, with Irish 2,000 Guineas hero Native Trail next in the betting at 7-2.
The last French-trained horse to win the Eclipse was the Alec Head-trained Saint Crespin in 1959, although very few have tried since the turn of the century. The last Aga Khan-owned runner in Sandown's big race was Diamond Green in 2005. He was partnered by Christophe Soumillion, who will ride Vadeni this weekend.
Six horses have stood their ground at the final declaration stage, including Prince Of Wales's Stakes runner-up Bay Bridge and Tattersalls Gold Cup title-holder Alenquer, who is aiming to provide trainer William Haggas with a second Eclipse success after Mukhadram landed the 2014 edition.
Coral-Eclipse runner guide
Alenquer - Had Prince Of Wales's Stakes winner State Of Rest behind when getting up late on to win the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup on latest start. Stays further so wouldn't want this to become tactical, while some rain would also help (never raced on ground quicker than good).
Bay Bridge - Improving colt whose career-best performance came over this course and distance in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes. Turned over at short odds in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot but that is still high-class form and the race wasn't run to suit. Could easily still rate higher and no surprise if he opens his Group 1 account here.
Lord North - Below best on both starts this term. Blind came off late at Ascot last time and race was lost at the start. A peak-form Lord North would be a player here, however the oldest horse in the line-up looks vulnerable to younger improvers.
Mishriff - Runaway winner of last year's Juddmonte International and would be very hard to beat if operating at that sort of level. Below best when beaten in the Champion Stakes and ran no sort of race in Saudi Cup on sole start this calendar year. Has wellbeing to prove.
Native Trail - Top class juvenile last year and went one place better than he did in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket when landing the odds in the Irish version. That looked a modest renewal though and no guarantee he will stay this longer trip, especially on a stiff track, so has work to do to follow up, even in receipt of the three-year-old allowance.
Vadeni - Hugely impressive winner of the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby), travelling all over his rivals from a long way out and even affording his rider the luxury of easing down in the final 50 yards. That was on soft going but he was an easy trial winner on better ground in May and he looks a class act. Has to be the one to beat.
Coral-Eclipse tip
Best of the older brigade could be Bay Bridge, especially back over the course and distance of his most impressive performance. The older horses might just be facing an impossible task conceding 10lb to Vadeni though.
The Aga Khan-owned colt looked a superstar when sluicing up in the French Derby and the forecast drier conditions here shouldn't be any hindrance to the son of Churchill.
Coral-Eclipse Stakes betting from Betfred
- Vadeni 6-4
- Bay Bridge 7-2
- Native Trail 7-2
- Alenquer 7-1
- Mishriff 7-1
- Lord North 16-1
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