Equerry to challenge Hawk Wing

The Godolphin operation, frustrated at the continued big race success of the Coolmore camp and Aidan O'Brien, is planning to introduce dark horse Equerry in a bid to stop the seemingly one-way traffic in Saturday's Coral Eurobet Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.

O'Brien's Hawk Wing, second in the 2,000 Guineas and the Epsom Derby to stablemates Rock of Gibraltar and High Chaparral respectively, is 4-7 favourite for the bookmaker's sponsored event at the Esher track to carry on the Coolmore domination of Group races.

Godolphin hope to challenge the market leader in the 10-furlong race with Equerry, backed up by Noverre and Kutub.

Equerry was formerly trained by top French handler Andrew Fabre and has won two Group Three events since joining Godolphin.

The colt's most recent victory was in the Prix La Coupe at Longchamp. Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: "Equerry is the most likely runner of the three, but he would not want the ground too fast, though showers are forecast.

This doesn't rule out the other two. We will wait until later in the week. A fair bit will depend on the ground and weather this week and also there are other factors to take into consideration.