Racing: Michael Jarvis yesterday expressed his concern over conditions at Sandown ahead of Rakti's bid for today's Coral-Eclipse Stakes after heavy rain changed the going to good to soft.

Rakti has been a hot favourite for the Group One showpiece ever since he won the Prince Of Wales's Stakes in good style on a fast surface at Royal Ascot. But after the Esher track was hit by a series of showers on Thursday night and yesterday the ground has eased considerably.

Jarvis said: "I am concerned about the change in the ground. He's won on soft ground before but we are talking about Mickey Mouse races." The Newmarket trainer said that if the ground turned very soft he would have to discuss Rakti's participation with owner Gary Tanaka. Connections of second favourite Refuse To Bend would also not want the ground too soft for their charge.

Even with the ground worries, it is hard to oppose Ratki, who is without doubt the best 10-furlong horse in Europe, as he demonstrated with a power-packed performance in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes. It really was an amazing performance as he tried to pull Philip Robinson's arms out all the way to the start and for the majority of the race.

But he still had plenty left at the finish to beat Aidan O'Brien's Powerscourt and Ikhtyar by two lengths and half a length. There is no reason why any of those behind him at Ascot should turn around the form and Rakti's chances have certainly not been hindered by being drawn 12.

That means he will be one away from the rail and Robinson should be able to get him positioned on the shoulders of the leaders from the very off.

It is true that winners of the Prince Of Wales's have struggled in the Eclipse of late - Mtoto in 1988 was the last to do the double - but Rakti is a class above. The still-underrated Warrsan is best of the rest and can chase him home.

The Tatling might not be quite the good thing that Rakti is but he should still take all the beating in the opener.