The Group 1 Coral-Eclipse, the feature race of the Flat Season at Sandown Park, has received a total of 67 entries at the initial entry stage.

The race, which takes place at the Esher venue on Saturday 3rd July, is worth £500,000 and has attracted a fascinating mixture of older horses and three-year-olds, including 2009 Investec Oaks first and second, Sariska and Midday, who went on to score in the Breeder’s Cup, and recent Dubai winners, Sri Putra and Da Re Mi.

The 33 three-year-old entries include current 2010 Stan James 2,000 Guineas and Investec Derby favourite, St Nicholas Abbey and recent Sandown Park bet365 Classic Trial winner, Chabal, owned by Godolphin.

Andre Fabre has entered the sole French entry in Cutlass Bay, owned by Godolphin, who was very impressive when winning the Prix d’Harcourt at Longchamp on his 2010 seasonal debut.

Saeed bin Suroor has entered a total of 16 horses with new Godolphin trainer, Mohammed Al Zarooni, entering a further 5 horses, including Eastern Anthem and Buzzword.

Aidan O’Brien has 17 entries, including last year’s Coral-Eclipse runner-up, Rip Van Winkle and 2009 Irish Derby winner, Fame and Glory.

St Nicholas Abbey looks the pick of his three-year-old entries.

The other Irish entry is the Kevin Prendergast-trained Recharge.

The other international entry is from Italy in the Vincenzo Caruso-trained Voila Ici, a five-year-old colt who has won 3 of his last 4 starts.

Coral have sponsored the race, which was won last year by the brilliant Sea The Stars for John Oxx, for 34 years. Andrew Cooper, director of racing at Sandown Park commented: "I am thrilled that the quality and quantity of the entries for the race is so strong.

"The Coral-Eclipse is the most high profile Flat race at Sandown Park and represents the first opportunity at Group 1 level for the Classic generation to take on their elders.

"Last year was a very special day with Sea The Stars following up his Investec Derby victory with success over the older generation for the first time.”

Coral first sponsored the Eclipse Stakes in 1976 when Wollow was awarded the race following the disqualification of Trepan.

Some of the great horses to win the Coral-Eclipse since then include Sadler's Wells (1984), Pebbles (1985), Dancing Brave (1986), Nashwan (1989), Opera House (1993), Pilsudski (1997), Giant's Causeway (2000), Falbrav (2003) and Sea The Stars (2009).