Horse racing Ombudsman is the one to beat in the high-class Eclipse Stakes

THE Eclipse Stakes has traditionally been the first occasion of the flat season where the top middle-distance three-year-olds would meet their seniors and although Saturday's race has cut up to just six runners, it is quality through and through.

- By JIM BEAVIS

The odds-on Ombudsman put up a personal best by trouncing his rivals in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and is repaying Godolphin’s decision to allow the Gosdens to bring him on slowly. He was unbeaten in four races last year, culminating in victories at Deauville and Longchamp. On his reappearance he was beaten by Almaqam, who declines to reoppose - as does the Ascot runner-up Anmaat. Sosie, a rare Eclipse runner for Andre Fabre, is a contender but might be happier with some juice in the ground.

The three-year-olds are led by the Ballydoyle pair Camille Pissarro and Delacroix. The former won the French Derby and the latter flopped when made favourite for the Epsom version. Top jockey Ryan Moore has kept faith in Delacroix.