Nayef heads Champion 13

One-time Classic favourite Nayef heads 13 runners declared today for the Dubai Champion Stakes at Newmarket.

The Marcus Tregoning-trained three-year-old has rattled off a hat-trick of Group Three victories since returning from an early summer break to earn a crack to Saturday`s Stg£400,000 Group One contest.

He will be joined in the line-up for the 10-furlong contest by his stable companion Albarahin, who was added to the race at a cost of Stg£24,000.

However, the other supplementary entry Tough Speed will not run.

Sir Michael Stoute`s four-year-old also holds an entry in the Victor Chandler Challenge Stakes over seven furlongs earlier on the Champions` Day card.

Joe Mercer, racing manager to Tough Speed`s owner Saeed Suhail, explained: 'He`s going to run in the Challenge.

'We`ve had a heavy shower in Newmarket this morning and the it`s just going to be on the easy side.

'I was with Michael and Saeed Suhail this morning and we thought it was better to gofor the Challenge if the ground was on the easy side rather than go against a mile and a quarter in the Champion.'

Stoute will now rely on Carnival Dancer and No Excuse Needed.

The latter, withdrawn from Ascot`s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes because of unsuitably soft ground, will be ridden by Kieren Fallon.

Mercer also acts for the three-year-old`s owner Maktoum Al Maktoum and he added: 'Hopefully there`ll be a bit of fresh ground on Saturday but we`ll play it by ear.'

As expected Aidan O`Brien has withdrawn dual Derby winner Galileo and his Champion Stakes runners are recent Newmarket winner Beckett and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes third Hawkeye.

The unbeaten Equerry, Vodafone Derby third Tobougg and Best Of The Bests, who has not been seen out since disappointing in the Dubai World Cup back in March.

Declarations: Albarahin, Best Of The Bests, Distant Music, Beckett, Carnival Dancer, Chancellor, Equerry, Hawkeye, Indian Creek, Nayef, No Excuse Needed, Tobougg, Rebelline (13).