The Gurkha has been installed as 10/3 favourite for next weekend's Coral-Eclipse by the sponsors after Aidan O'Brien suggested today that he could be targeted at the race.

The possibility of soft ground could rule out Deauville and Long Island Sound and O'Brien raised the possibility of The Gurkha contesting the ten furlong contest instead.

"We are considering a few horses but the ground looks like it is going to be soft and that may go against Deauville and Long Island Sound,” said O'Brien.

"The Gurkha did nothing last week. He may do a bit this week, and we'll see after that."

Coral's David Stevens said:-

"Following his impressive French Guineas success and a close second at Royal Ascot, The Gurkha would be a leading contender if lining up at Sandown next Saturday, indeed we would regard him as the one to beat and already make him favourite.

Coral-Eclipse betting:-

10-3 The Gurkha, 7-2 My Dream Boat, Time Test, 5 Fascinating Rock, 7 US Army Ranger, The Grey Gatsby, 8 Deauville, 9 New Bay, 11 Minding 12 Galileo Gold, Highland Reel, 16 Almodovar, Western Hymn, 20 Bar