Rock to run in Dewhurst

Rock of Gibraltar will take his chance in Saturday`s Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, trainer Aidan O`Brien confirmed today.

The top-class colt, owned by Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, landed a clear-cut success in the Grand Criterium at Longchamp only 10 days ago but is reported to have come out of the race in good order and is on course to make a quick reappearance.

In the Newmarket race, he is set to meet Godolphin`s Dubai Destination, who gained the upper hand when the pair clashed in Doncaster`s Champagne Stakes last month.

Stablemate Johannesburg, who also holds an entry in Saturday`s race, will instead be targeted at the Breeders` Cup meeting at Belmont the following weekend.

'Rock of Gibraltar has taken his last race very well and the plan is to run,' said O`Brien. 'When he won the Gimcrack he was able to bowl along with him but after we ran at Doncaster, Michael (Kinane) said that he didn`t think that was the way to ride him at seven furlongs.

'He was in front for a long time so when he ran in France we covered him up and he really was able to quicken.

'As for whether we can beat Dubai Destination, I`m never confident, I`m always hopeful - I`m looking forward to a big run.'

Meanwhile, Godolphin also confirmed their final line-up for the feature contest on Saturday`s card, the Stg£400,000 Dubai Champion Stakes.

Simon Crisford, the racing manager of the Dubai-based operation, confirmed that they intended to saddle three runners in the prestigious contest, with Best of the Bests being joined by Equerry and Tobougg.

'Frankie will ride Best of the Bests unless it rains very hard and then he might switch to Equerry - but that`s an `if`,' Crisford explained. 'It`s not a perfect comeback race for Best of the Bests, who has been off the track for a long time.

'Equerry obviously has form in very soft ground and is improving while Tobougg has been off since the Eclipse.

'It`s the end of the season and they might as well all face an exam but I couldn`t say we were over-confident going into the race.'