Titanic racing battle with £750,000 on the line ready to rock Sandown as Paddington tackles Emily Upjohn

SANDOWN is braced for a titanic racing battle on Saturday as superstar Paddington takes on Emily Upjohn in a Coral-Eclipse for the ages.

Just four horses will line up for the epic £750,000 race – but what it lacks in numbers it more than makes up for in quality.

West Wind Blows and Dubai Honour complete the quartet, but bookies think it’s a straight head to head between Paddington and Emily Upjohn.

At the moment it is tough to separate them, with Aidan O’Brien’s St James’s Palace hero marginally ahead in the betting at 11-10.

The three-year-old has been smashed by punters since word spread he would be heading down to Surrey.

But Andrew Lloyd Webber’s four-year-old filly is not without her supporters either, and though she has been usurped as favourite she remains strong in the market for the 1m2f contest.

Frankie Dettori was due to steer the Coronation Cup winner.

But he is currently banned so champion jockey William Buick will hop into the saddle for trainer John Gosden.

Ryan Moore, who is in simply irresistable form at the moment, will, as usual, ride for genius Irish trainer O’Brien.

Bragging rights are at stake but also a heck of a lot of cash.

The winner will get £425,325 while it is a big drop down to the runner-up prize of £161,250.

Moore thinks the other three runners have it all to do if they are to see off his mount.

He told Betfair: “I do think Paddington is the one they all have to beat.

“Obviously, he is the only one with his stamina to prove, but, from what we have seen from him at the Curragh and Royal Ascot, you could well be looking at a colt who will actually improve for the extra 2f.

“His pedigree also suggests he will get it, and get it well, and of course we also get a very handy age allowance, too.

“He is in very good shape for this.”

Coral-Eclipse – all you need to know

Where? Sandown

When? 3.40pm Saturday

How can I watch? The race will be on ITV1 and Racing TV

Odds and free bets? Sun Racing has stacks of free bet offers for you to get stuck into.

Paddington 11-10

Emily Upjohn 5-4

Dubai Honour 11-1

West Wind Blows 25-1