36 Go Forward For Emirates Airline Champion Stakes

A rematch between Starcraft and Dubawi could take place in the #350,000 Group One Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket on Champions´ Day, Saturday, October 15. Starcraft got the better of Godolphin´s star three-year-old in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on September 24.

A total of 36 horses remain in the 10-furlong race following the September 27 forfeit stage and they also include Vodafone Derby winner Motivator, who is set to run in Sunday´s Prix de l´Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

In addition to Dubawi, Godolphin has the 2004 Arc runner-up Cherry Mix, progressive performer Into The Dark, Group One winner Ancient World, Naheef and Lateen Sails. The Emirates Airline Champion Stakes is one of the few major prizes to have eluded the Maktoum family´s operation.

Coral-Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes hero Oratorio is the only horse to have beaten Motivator, and Aidan O´Brien´s charge heads the Irish challenge. The Ballydoyle team have also entered 1000 Guineas winner Virginia Waters while fellow Irish handler Jim Bolger could run his the tough filly Alexander Goldrun, an unlucky third last time out in the Irish Champion Stakes. John Oxx has left in the unexposed Alayan while Grey Swallow, trained by Dermot Weld, could bid to bounce back to form following a disappointing effort last time in the Irish Champion Stakes.

Another big name to go forward is Rakti, trained by Michael Jarvis. He disappointed last time out in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes but won this race back in 2003. Jarvis could also run Vista Bella, third earlier this season in the 1000 Guineas.

There are two entries from Italy going forward for this year´s race, notably the Valfredo Valiani-trained Electrocutionist who impressed with a game victory in the Group One Juddmonte International at York under Mick Kinane. Altieri, third to Oratorio and Motivator in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, is also entered for the Vincenzo Caruso stable.

The Aga Khan has a chance of victory with dual Group One winner Valixir who is trained in France by Andre Fabre while other French entries include last year´s Arc hero Bago, Pride, Prospect Park and Touch Of Land, fifth in the Arlington Million.

Other interesting contenders include Coronation Stakes heroine Maids Causeway and Group One-winning mare Favourable Terms.

Horses could be added to the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes field on October 10, when there is a #24,000 supplementary entry stage.