138 Strong Entry For Darley Dewhurst Stakes

The £250,000 Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes, Britain's premier contest for juvenile colts, which will take place on Newmarket's Champions' Day on Saturday, October 20, has attracted a fantastic 138-strong entry.

The total number of colts engaged in the seven-furlong race, three more than in 2006, when the final field of 15 produced a thrilling race, with the champion juvenile Teofilo rallying to overcome Holy Roman Emperor after a breath-taking duel.

A powerful Irish raid can again be expected with 44 entered from the Emerald Isle, including no less than 36 from Aidan O'Brien's mighty Ballydoyle battalions, headed by the unbeaten Group Two Coventry Stakes winner Henrythenavigator.

O'Brien's contingent also includes Group Two Anheuser Busch Adventure Parks Railway Stakes winner Lizard Island, as well as the runner-up that day, South Dakota.

Listed winner Warsaw has been engaged by the trainer who took the prize in 2001 with the brilliant Rock Of Gibraltar, along with Goodwood maiden runner-up Belgrave Square, Group Two Richmond Stakes third One Great Cat, High Chaparral's brother Tale Of Two Cities and Hawk Wing's unraced half-brother Zulu Chief.

Peter Chapple-Hyam, successful in 1991 with the following year's Derby winner Dr Devious, could have a say in the outcome as he has entered seven colts including the unbeaten Winker Watson who landed the Group Two TNT July Stakes at Newmarket in July, having already captured the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The trainer also has Group Two Weatherbys Superlative Stakes runner-up Declaration Of War, impressive Listed winner Western Art, Amaakin, Orientalist Art, Skadrak and Tame That Tiger.

Andre Fabre secured a hat-trick of wins in the 1990s with Zafonic (1992), Pennekamp (1994) and Xaar (1997), and the master French trainer's trio consists of World Ruler alongside maiden winners Beret Rouge and Minted, while fellow Gallic trainer Pascal Bary has engaged Group Two Prix Robert Papin winner Natagora.

Godophin trainer Saeed bin Suroor has nine colts entered including impressive Group Two Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes winner Rio De La Plata, while Raven's Pass, an eye-catching five-length winner of an Ascot Listed contest on July 28, is one of four John Gosden-trained entries.

Milk It Mick gave Jamie Osborne his biggest success as a trainer when victorious in 2003 and he has Windsor Castle Stakes winner Drawnfromthepast, who was last seen when fifth to the Jeremy Noseda-trained Strike The Deal in the Group Two Richmond Stakes at Goodwood on August 3.

Mark Johnston took the Darley Dewhurst Stakes in 2004 with the brilliant Shamardal and he has Sandown maiden winner Campanologist, the progressive Gothenburg, McCartney, Miesko and Missioner.

Tommy Stack has engaged the unbeaten Group Three Dubai Duty Free Anglesey Stakes hero and recent Coolmore purchase Myboycharlie, while Jim Bolger, successful in 2006 with Teofilo has the exciting and unbeaten Tyros Stakes winner New Approach.

Mick Channon enjoyed Darley Dewhurst Stakes victory with Tobougg in 2000 and he has Group Two Weatherbys Superlative Stakes winner Hatta Fort as well as Atlantic Sport. Paul Cole took the race with Derby winner Generous in 1990 and may run TNT July Stakes runner-up River Proud, while Swiss Franc, third in that race, has been entered by David Elsworth.