24 Go Forward For Emirates Airline Champion Stakes

A total of 24 acceptors have stood their ground following the latest forfeit stage for the #350,000 Group One Emirates Airline Champion Stakes, run over 10 furlongs of the NatWest Rowley Mile at Newmarket on Champions' Day, Saturday, October 20, 2007.

A quality line-up looks guaranteed for the prestigious event and includes the Henry Cecil-trained Multidimensional, who was last seen winning a conditions race at Newbury in September, and was a Group Two winner last August in the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville.

Last season's Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud heroine Passage Of Time also represents Cecil, who has won the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes twice before with Indian Skimmer (1988) and Bosra Sham (1996).

Aidan O'Brien looks set to have a strong hand in one of the few major races to have eluded him so far. George Washington could return to the scene of his Stan James 2000 Guineas success, while Group One Irish Champion Stakes winner Dylan Thomas and Irish Derby victor Soldier Of Fortune both go forward.

The Ballydoyle handler has a total of eight entries remaining in the race, including Derby runner-up Eagle Mountain, Mount Nelson, Red Rock Canyon, Song Of Hiawatha and Yellowstone.

Fresh from his success in the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, Ramonti could bid to give Godolphin a first victory in the race. Group Two Sky Bet York Stakes winner Stage Gift is also entered for trainer Saeed bin Suroor, along with Blue Ksar.

French-trained horses have won the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes 20 times since 1945, and trainer Alain De Royer-Dupre, successful with Pride in 2006, could be represented by triple Group One winner Mandesha. Jean-Claude Rouget has entered Literato, runner-up in the Group One Prix Du Jockey Club, and Elie Lellouche could send over progressive three-year-old Loup Breton.

Sir Michael Stoute has won the Emirates Airlines Champion Stakes twice with Pilsudski (1997) and Kalanisi (2000). Eclipse winner Notnowcato and Group Two Hardwicke Stakes scorer Maraahel could attempt to provide another victory for the Newmarket trainer.

The last two winners of the Stan James 1000 Guineas could also lock horns, with Speciosa and Finsceal Beo both going forward for the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes, which has seen 23 female victors since 1945.