Twice Over wins Coral-Eclipse for trainer Henry Cecil

Twice Over finished second at Ascot

Twice Over landed a popular fourth win in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown for former champion trainer Henry Cecil.

The 13-8 favourite, ridden by Tom Queally, gave 10-time champion Cecil his first success in the 1m 2f race since 1978 winner Gunner Be.

Twice Over raced clear of his rivals but had to see off the challenge of fast-finishing 33-1 shot Sri Putra.

Racegoers around the winner's enclosure raised three cheers for Cecil, who has battled stomach cancer in recent years.

The public affection for 67-year-old Cecil has grown as he fought back from a period in the doldrums.

He is considered a gentleman in the sport, and said he would relish driving back to Newmarket so he can continue his tradition of raising a flag at his Warren Place stable after a Group One victory.

I would love to win the Dubai World Cup

Henry Cecil

Reflecting on his horse's dominant race, Cecil enthused: "It was a furlong out when he really lengthened and he saw them off.

"He thought he'd done enough in the end and was looking around him rather than in front.

"Tom gave him a great ride, he's a great jockey and I look forward to the future years."

A change in tactics helped pull off victory in the Eclipse, which offers a prize of more than £280,000 for the winner.

"It was different tactics to Ascot. In the Prince of Wales Stakes you wouldn't have ridden him as boldly as this but he stayed well the last time," said Queally.

"He's a real stable star and it means a lot."

Owner Prince Khalid Abdullah was celebrating another big victory in a season which has already seen him win the Epsom Derby with the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Workforce.

Cecil, meanwhile, was immediately pondering fresh targets for Twice Over.

"Looking ahead there is the Juddmonte International and the Champion Stakes and I would love to win the Dubai World Cup.

"We'll see how he goes and see what the Prince wants to do as it's his horse."

Mawatheeq was withdrawn from the race just before the start after refusing to enter the stalls.

Coral-Eclipse Sandown, 1m 2f
1 Twice Over (Henry Cecil) Tom Queally 13-8f
2 Sri Putra 33-1
5 ran. Dist: ½