Johannesburg returns in Ascot sprint

Johannesburg, champion two-year-old of 2001, will bid to atone for defeat in the Kentucky Derby when he heads a field of 16 sprinters declared at the final 48-hour stage for the Golden Jubilee Stakes on Saturday.

Aidan O`Brien`s colt, unbeaten in seven starts as a two-year-old, including the Breeders` Cup Juvenile, returns to sprinting after finishing eighth of 18 in the American Classic.

The Royal Ascot contest carries Group One status this year and has been renamed from the Cork And Orrery Stakes in honour of the Queen`s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

And an intriguing American flavour is added to the six-furlong Stg£250,000 feature in the shape of Jim Chapman`s Caller One.

He has twice landed the Dubai Golden Shaheen but was a disappointment on his first try on turf in the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Sprint in Hong Kong last month.

Three Points, second to Harmonic Way last year, takes his chance again for Godolphin, with fifth-placed Misraah again representing Sir Michael Stoute.

Sir Mark Prescott saddles Danehurst, who rounded off last season with two successive victories in Listed company.

Ben Hanbury runs Mugharreb, who will renew rivalry with his recent York conqueror, the John Dunlop-trained Invincible Spirit, with the Arundel trainer also being represented by Vision Of Night.

Continent and Bahamian Pirate, runner-up and ninth respectively in Tuesday`s King`s Stand Stakes, ensure Thirsk trainer David Nicholls is double-handed.

Ellen`s Academy (Eric Alston), Malhub (John Gosden), Orientor (Jim Goldie), Feet So Fast (Willie Musson), Indian Country (Jeremy Noseda) and Miss Beabea (Kevin Prendergast) complete the line-up.