Dubai: The Group 1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes usually throws up an exciting and unpredictable contest, and this year’s renewal of Sandown’s famous all-age race looks capable of serving up another cracker of a race on Saturday.

Eleven middle-distance specialists, including four with Dubai connections, are ready to do battle over a challenging 2,000m course and lay down an early marker for the British Champions Series.

Although market trends may suggest it is principally a race between Royal Ascot sensation The Fugue and 2,000 Guineas (G1) victory Night Of Thunder, the depth of talent in the ranks proves otherwise,

Two Classic winners and four Group 1 scorers are among the 11 runners, which also include Kingston Hill, Verrazano, War Command, Mukhadram, rue Story, Trading Leather and Tullius. Somewhat and Zambucca are the two lesser fancied contenders in the race.

Night Of Thunder, who is owned by Emirati businessman Saeed Manana, heads Dubai’s strong raiding party together with the Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance-owned Mukhadram, and the Godolphin duo of Espom Derby seventh True Story and last year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1) scorer Trading Leather.

Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1) winner The Fugue, who is the huge ante-post favourite, will bid to compensate for her terrible run in this race last season, where she finished last, and supply trainer John Gosden with a second Eclipse trophy after Nathaniel in 2012.

Godolphin handler Saeed Bin Surour, who is looking for a fifth success in the race, said: “True Story was disappointing in the Investec Derby but I don’t think that he handled the course at Epsom Downs.

“I think the return to a mile and a quarter and the application of a visor will suit him better. He has worked three times with a visor and has looked more focused.

“He is doing well and I have been happy with his preparation. It is a tough race but we will take our chance and I am hopeful that he can run well.”

Bin Surour’s previous wins in the Eclipse include Refuse To Bend (2004), Daylami (1998) and Halling (1994-93).

Commenting on Trading Leather’s chances, legendary Irish handler Jim Bolger said on the Godolphin website: “We are hoping for a good performance. We would be hoping that the ground stays good. If it doesn’t, we will have a problem.”

Meanwhile, Epsom Derby winning trainer Williams Haggas is hoping Mukhadram can show himself to be a better horse than when he finished third in the Sandown showdown last year.

“I think this Eclipse is a stronger race than last year. It has more depth and the three-year-olds seem to be a good crop,” he said.

“But I also think that Mukhadram is a better horse than a year ago – he’s much more mature and focussed. A lot of people are going to see what the weather does and, just like The Fugue, Mukhadram would prefer it if there was no rain.”

The Fugue (5/2), Night Of Thunder (4)out, Kingston Hill (6)in, Verrazano (13/2)out, War Command (11), Mukhadram (14), True Story (16), Trading Leather (20), Tullius (40)out, Somewhat (150)out, Zambucca (500)