Trainer Stoute's colt on revenge mission

Medicean is poised to avenge stablemate Kalanisi's narrow defeat by Giant's Causeway in last year's Coral Eurobet Eclipse Stakes - provided Sandown escapes any significant rain.

Last month's impressive winner of the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot is set to be re-routed to Saturday's £345,000 Group One event, rather than head straight for Goodwood's Sussex Stakes on 1 August. Owners David and Patricia Thompson, of Cheveley Park Stud, have left the choice to his Newmarket trainer, Sir Michael Stoute.

"Sir Michael spoke to the owners about the Eclipse option yesterday and they said to leave the final decision to him," said Cheveley Park Stud manager, Chris Richardson. "As Medicean has been confirmed for the race, I'd expect him to run. The only obstacle would be if the forecast heavy rain made a real difference to the ground."

The sponsors offer the four-year-old colt at 4-1, behind 9-4 favourite Black Minnaloushe and 11-4 shot Tobougg. Medicean has shown improved form this season, winning the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes and then making light of his resultant Group One penalty when triumphing in a typically hot renewal of the Group Two Queen Anne Stakes a fortnight ago.

But he was soundly thrashed on his last attempt at the Eclipse's 10-furlong trip when only 14th, beaten about 16 lengths, by Sobriety in the John Smith's Cup Handicap at York last July.

"We're all keen to try Medicean over 10 furlongs again, as there were a number of valid reasons why he didn't run particularly well at York last year. He had earlier finished extremely fast and late in the St James's Palace Stakes over a mile and is now a year stronger," said Richardson.