Finsceal Beo Among 51-Strong Entry For BGC Sussex Stakes

Dual Classic heroine Finsceal Beo tops a superb 51-strong entry for the £300,000 BGC Sussex Stakes, run over a mile on Wednesday, August 1, the second day of Glorious Goodwood 2007.

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Jim Bolger's charge, who followed success in the 1,000 Guineas over Newmarket's Rowley Mile on May 6 with victory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh three weeks later - narrowly failing to land an incredible hat-trick when touched off in the French version in between - could face very stiff competition in the Group One contest, with a host of top international performers entered, not to mention last year's champion two-year-old and stable companion, Teofilo.

Compatriot George Washington, brilliant winner of both the 2,000 Guineas and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in 2006, was initially retired to stud after his three-year-old season, but is now back in training at Ballydoyle.

His trainer, Aidan O'Brien, is looking for his third BGC Sussex Stakes victory after Giant's Causeway (2000) and Rock Of Gibraltar (2002) and has 15 entries to choose from, including French 2,000 Guineas victor Astronomer Royal and Epsom Derby runner-up Eagle Mountain.

Prior to Giant Causeway's success, the previous Irish-based scorer was the Vincent O'Brien-trained King's Lake in 1981. The 22-strong Irish entry also includes Arch Swing, trained by John Oxx, who chased home Finsceal Beo in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket before disappointing behind the same rival in the Irish version next time.

The Classic generation could also be represented by Eoghan O'Neill's Vital Equine and Dutch Art, trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam, who filled the minor placings behind Cockney Rebel in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 5, while Creachadoir, runner-up in both the French and Irish 2,000 Guineas, is another contender for the Jim Bolger stable.

Godolphin has taken the BGC Sussex Stakes twice with Aljabr (1999) and Noverre (2001) and the Maktoum family's racing operation is well represented with eight entries, among them Caradak, who captured the Group Two totesport Celebration Mile at Goodwood last year, and ex-Italian Ramonti, who ran a blinder on his British debut when touched off by the Michael Bell-trained Red Evie in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 19.

The Criquette Head-Maarek-trained Passager ran his best race to date when a close third in the Lockinge Stakes and could bid for compensation, while the Head family has another entry - trained by ex-jockey Freddie - in the shape of Racinger, who took the Group Two Prix du Muguet at Saint-Cloud on May 1. France last won the contest with Bigstone in 1993.

A fascinating entry is South African challenger Asiatic Boy, trained by Mike de Kock. The Argentine-bred four-year-old won all four starts on dirt at Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, earlier this year, culminating with a breathtaking nine and a half length triumph from Jack Junior in the Group Two UAE Derby on March 31.

Ed Dunlop lifted the BGC Sussex Stakes last year with the gallant Court Masterpiece and has entered the improving Munaddam, while James Fanshawe, who sent out the classy Soviet Song to land the prize in 2004, has entered progressive six-year-old Cesare, an emphatic winner in Listed company at Ascot last month.

Proclamation gave Jeremy Noseda a famous win when resisting the late charge of Soviet Song in 2005 and his three entries this year includes Rahiyah, who produced a cracking effort on her seasonal reappearance when third to Darjina and Finsceal Beo in the French 1,000 Guineas at Longchamp on May 13, and Sander Camillo who was a top two-year-old before disappointing so far this year.

Sir Michael Stoute's three BGC Sussex Stakes triumphs came courtesy of Sonic Lady (1986), Zilzal (1989) and Among Men (1998). His four possible contenders this year are headed by Echelon, last seen edging home from Bahia Breeze in the Group Three Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom on June 1, with John Gosden's Nannina back in third.

Jeremy, who took the Group Two Betfred Mile at Sandown in April, Home Affairs, not seen since an unlucky third in last year's Diomed Stakes at Epsom, and talented front-running filly Wasseema are the Freemason Lodge handler's other entries.

Dark Islander, trained by John Hills, has yet to score above handicap company in Britain, however he made an impressive debut in America when landing the Grade Two Oak Tree Derby at Santa Anita in October.

Rod Fabricius, Managing Director of Goodwood Racecourse, said: 'The BGC Sussex Stakes is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the Flat season, and we are delighted with the quality of this year's entry.

'It would be wonderful to see Finsceal Beo take on George Washington and company at Goodwood on August 1 and, with South African raider Asiatic Boy adding extra spice, it is sure to be a fantastic race.'

Glorious Goodwood takes place between Tuesday, July 31 and Saturday, August 4. Advance bookings can be made through www.goodwood.co.uk.