EVERY top-class race is fascinating in its own way, but few have been as enthralling in anticipation as the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown today.

The reappearance of Authorized, the most impressive Derby winner of recent years, coincides with the second comeback run of the horse generally regarded as the best of his generation, George Washington, and thrown into the mix are some relatively unknown quantities and a couple of solid performers at Group level.

Earlier in the week, it seemed unlikely that Aidan O'Brien's enigmatic star, inevitably known as Gorgeous George, would not take part as the ground appeared unsuitable. However, the trainer changed his mind as the track dried out and, unless he decides differently when he walks the course today, the clash with the new star in the firmament, Authorized, is on.

There are some who have already decided, the bookies among them, that Authorized is something of a certainty but however brilliant the Peter Chapple-Hyam trained colt is, he takes on older horses for the first time, never an easy task for three-year-olds at this stage of the season.

In Notnowcato, for instance, he faces a solid Group 1 performer who is capable of testing any contender over this 10-furlong trip, and Kandidate is also a stuffy character in Group races, although maybe not as threatening to the top two as Notnowcato.

If the race was over a mile, the case for four-year-old George Washington would be irresistible. He was the champion over that trip last year and, although beaten in his first run since being hauled back into competition having failed at stud, he will be all the fitter now.

The Irish runner's quirky temperament, demonstrated again when he pulled too hard in his comeback race - the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot - has also to be taken into consideration, but the main doubt about him is today's extra two furlongs.

In his only try at the trip, admittedly on dirt in the Breeders' Cup Classic in America, he weakened late. He had received a hefty bump earlier and that may have upset him, and you could also argue that O'Brien would not be putting him in here if he thought he couldn't stay the distance.

The Ballydoyle trainer, who runs two other contestants, has changed jockeys on his No.1 contender, Seamie Hefferman taking over from Mick Kinane, which may be a sign that Hefferman is moving up the stable merit table, while Kinane rides Admiralofthefleet. Colm O'Donohue is on the third O'Brien challenger, Archi-penko, who was unsuited by the undulations of Epsom in the Derby, and this one makes a lot of appeal each-way.

He might even cause a surprise but, while George Washington is high class and capable of anything, on the balance of probabilities, Authorized (3.45), who will not be troubled by coming back two furlongs, has to be the choice.

Frankie Dettori, who rides Authorized, has a few other decent chances, one of them in the totescoop6 Stakes, a competitive handicap over a mile. He has a rare assignment for Berkshire trainer Andrew Balding, riding lightly-raced Yeaman's Hall.

The three-year-old has only run three times, finishing second first time out, winning his next race then fifth in a Group 3 at the Curragh behind Alex-ander of Hales. As the latter finished second, albeit well behind Soldier Of Fortune in the Irish Derby last weekend, Yeaman's Hall (2.35), even with 8st 13lbs to carry, ought to give us a good run for our money.

In the Champagne Sprint, Jim Goldie's Dhaular Dhar could be an each-way possibility but the big two look likely to be Sierra Vista and Reverence (2.05) who, in these conditions, can be very smart. Selections Sandown 2.05 Reverence, 2.35 Yeaman's Hall 3.45 Authorized