DERMOT WELD gave tomorrow's Coral Eclipse Stakes a welcome shot in the arm yesterday when he committed Definite Article to the Sandown showpiece provided the ground is not firm.

As Singspiel became the latest colt to turn his back on the Group One contest, the Irish Derby winning trainer settled his own doubts virtually to guarantee a field of six.

Only outsider Beauchamp King remains an uncertain starter. His trainer John Dunlop, who would prefer softer ground, will not make a decision until this morning.

Singspiel, last year's runner up to Hailing, is to be aimed instead at the two furlong longer Princess Of Wales's Stakes on the opening day of the July Meeting at Newmarket next Tuesday.

Weld, satisfied that conditions are unlikely to become too firm at Sandown, is on course to become the first trainer since Vincent O'Brien to land the Irish Derby and Eclipse in the same season.

"Definite Article will run provided the ground is not firm and Michael Kinane will ride him," he announced.

Pentire is now 7 to 4 favourite with the sponsors who also bet 5-2 Halling, 9-2 Valanour, 6-1 Definite Article, 13-2 Bijou d'Inde, 14-1 Ela-Aristokrati, 25-1 Beauchamp King.

"Pentire is very well. I couldn't be more pleased with him. There is really no more to say, just to hope for the best," said Geoff Wragg.

A mixture of sunshine and showers has hit many areas in the south east but the rain that fell at Sandown has had no impact on the ground which remains good to firm.

Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said: "They are still coming. Everybody thinks it has been raining hard here but we have had three showers since midday and each has lasted barely longer than a minute.