Galileo a champion surprise Galileo was the surprise name among the 18 horses left in the Dubai Champion Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday following today`s confirmation stage.Aidan O`Brien`s dual-Derby winner, who suffered his first defeat in the Irish Champion Stakes last time, has had the Breeders` Cup Classic at Belmont Park later this month as his aim since.He is due to fly out to America early next week.O'Brien also has recent Newmarket winner Beckett, as well as Hawkeye and Ice Dancer in the Champion.Sir Michael Stoute has three entries left in the £400,000 feature.He has Scottish Classic winner Carnival Dancer, No Excuse Needed, successful in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood last time, and Tough Speed, who was supplemented for the 10-furlong Group One contest at a cost to connections of £24,000.Stoute, who has won the Champion Stakes twice with Pilsudski in 1997, and with Kalanisi last year, has withdrawn Coral Eurobet Eclipse Stakes victor Medicean and Prix de l`Arc de Triomphe fourth Golan from Saturday`s race.Godolphin have Vodafone Derby third Tobougg, plus the unbeaten Equerry, and Best Of The Bests.The latter has not been seen out since disappointing in the Dubai World Cup in March but has recently been reported to be working well on the Newmarket gallops.In-form trainer Marcus Tregoning has one-time Classic favourite Nayef and supplementary entry Albarahin in the race with Richard Hills opting to ride the former
