Racing: Eclipse target for Elsworth's City

David Elsworth is expecting a bold show from Norse Dancer and Salford City when they line up for the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on Saturday. The colts were among 14 horses declared for the Group One showpiece at yesterday's five-day stage, with Refuse To Bend and Maktub supplemented at £20,000 each.

Norse Dancer finished fourth in last year's Derby, while Salford City finished fifth in this year's renewal, beaten just four lengths by North Light.

"Salford City has maintained a high level on the gallops and looks better than at Epsom," Elsworth said. "He got the best-turned-out [award] there, but they don't give you a star for that and he's in great form."

Elsworth feels Saturday's trip of a mile and a quarter could be ideal for the colt. "It was the Derby and we thought we'd let him take his chance. Trainers are clever fellows but we're not clairvoyants and his owner, Michael Tabor, was keen to have a go. It did seem that a mile and a half was stretching his stamina. He went second to the winner before he emptied."

ECLIPSE STAKES (Sandown, Saturday): Coral: evens Rakti, 5-1 Salford City, 6-1 Refuse To Bend, 8-1 Powerscourt, 14-1 Ikhtyar, 16-1 Kalaman, Warrsan, 20-1 others.