Dewhurst Stakes Declarations: Can Gstaad Secure A Record Ninth Win for O'Brien The Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday (3.00) looks set to be the blockbuster two-year-old championship race punters had hoped for after leading hopes Gstaad, Distant Storm and Zavateri were declared in a nine-runner field for the Group 1 contest. Coventry winner Gstaad is Aidan O'Brien's main hope as he goes for a record ninth victory in the race, with his National Stakes conqueror Zavateri opposing once more for Eve Johnson Houghton. Charlie Appleby, who has won three of the last six runnings, counts Tattersalls Stakes winner Distant Storm amongst three contenders. Alparslan (Karl Burke) Dandy Man colt is 2-2 so far, easily winning a Leicester novice on debut in August and following up in clear cut fashion in the Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales Stakes at the Curragh last month. He is, though, taking a sharp jump up in class. Distant Storm (Charlie Appleby) One of three for Godolphin/Charlie Appleby, this Night Of Thunder colt has two wins in three starts, both here, including last month's very impressive Tattersalls Stakes demolition. He is going the right way. Gewan (Andrew Balding) Another by Night Of Thunder, he caused a shock when defeating Italy in the Acomb Stakes at York in August to make it 2-2 but has since been a disappointing fourth in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster. Gstaad (Aidan O'Brien) One of two contenders for Aidan O'Brien, winner of this race eight times. The son of Starspangledbanner looked a star in the making when landing the Coventry at Royal Ascot in June and has been denied fractions since when second in the Prix Morny and National Stakes. Closely matched with Zavateri. Italy (Aidan O'Brien) The second Ballydoyle runner, he brings some high-class form but hasn't got many excuses following defeats behind re-opposing rivals Saba Desert, Gewan, Zavateri and Gstaad in his last three starts. Oxagon (John & Thady Gosden) The sole Frankel colt in the mix, he ran no sort of race here on debut on the July Course but dotted up in a Sandown novice next time and was only denied a length in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster since. Improving with every start. Pacific Avenue (Charlie Appleby) Debut winner over 7f here in June but hasn't really landed a telling blow in Group-race outings at Sandown and over C&D since and needs a jolt of improvement in this company. Saba Desert (Charlie Appleby) Son of Dubawi won the Superlative Stakes over 7f on the July Course here in midsummer, with some of these behind, but now must put a disappointing effort in the National Stakes at the Curragh behind him. That was quite possibly too poor to be true, however, and he could rebound. Zavateri (Eve Johnson Houghton) A son of Without Parole, he's got as much experience as any in this line-up and remains unbeaten after four starts, three of them at Group-race level. He showed real tenacity to fend off Gstaad in the National Stakes after getting to the front and then being headed. By virtue of that, he's top-rated heading for Newmarket, where he won a 6f Group in the summer on the July Course.
