A superb day of racing around the country today is headed by the Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park (3.50) and a real chance for the three-year-olds to put one over the older generation in the form of War Command.

Three times a winner over seven furlongs as a juvenile, I could never understand why O’Brien ran him in the 2,000 Guineas as his style of racing and breeding suggested that this trip could well be his optimum this year.

As it was, the son of War Front was far from disgraced when beaten five and a quarter lengths into ninth spot that day and of course we all know how well that race has worked out in the interim.

His second start came in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, when to my mind I thought that Joseph O’Brien gave him an ill-judged ride out the back in a muddling affair. 

He was not surprisingly outpaced when the pace quickened off the home turn and only made late inroads once the contest was done and dusted. 

But the key to his chance here in the highest grade is the step up to a mile and a quarter. 

With all ground coming alike to him I expect a big step forward in form today although I am far from enamoured with price of around 13/2.

The Fugue is the most obvious danger on account of her comeback run in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, although it has to be said that everything seemed to drop in her favour that day including some suspect rides from a couple of the rival jockeys.

Kingston Hill is a bigger player in my book especially if the forecasted rain arrives at the Esher track and just takes the sting out of the turf. 

He was the only one to give the mighty Australia any kind of run for his money in the Derby and is much preferred to the likes of Verrazano, Night of Thunder and True Story.

Earlier on, I shall be having a hefty each-way bet on Burano in the Coral Challenge Handicap at 2.40 as long as the ground doesn’t deteriorate too much.

Brian Meehan’s charge has been more than a little unlucky on a couple of starts this season and is a massive player here if getting the run of the race with Velox the main danger.

Richard Hughes is the perfect partner for Rex Imperator in the Coral Charge at 2.05 and stall 13 is no concern as he has to be held up for a late rush through the pack.

Over at Haydock, the Old Newton Handicap (3.30) looks very open, but Stomachion has solid claims back up to a mile and a half, while Roseburg can defy top weight in the 5.15.

Of the other meetings have a second look at Dubawi Sound at a price in the Leicester 4.00 and in the evening at Nottingham Not Rigg may follow up his win in last year’s 9.00.