UK: Quality Entries For Champions Day

Thursday, 2 August 2012: Dubai Future Champions Day at Newmarket on Saturday, October 13, looks set to once again showcase the cream of the juvenile crop following the entries for the £300,000 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes and the £150,000 Dubai Middle Park Stakes

Both Group One contests have proven to be a key pointer to outstanding performers, with recent winners of the seven-furlong Dubai Dewhurst Stakes including subsequent Classic winners Rock Of Gibraltar, Shamardal, Sir Percy, New Approach and Frankel.

The Dubai Middle Park Stakes over six furlongs has also been a springboard to subsequent success at the highest level, with both Dream Ahead and Oasis Dream going on to capture the Darley July Cup and retiring as Europe's champion sprinter.

Trainer Clive Cox is hoping Reckless Abandon can continue an excellent start to his career in this year's Dubai Middle Park Stakes, which has received 56 entries.

The son of Exchange Rate, unbeaten in three starts, won the Group Two Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 21 and the Group Two Prix Robert Papin at Maisons Laffitte comfortably on July 22.

Cox, based at Beechdown Farm in Lambourn, said: "Reckless Abandon has been entered in the Dubai Middle Park Stakes. The intention at the moment is to go for the Group One Prix Morny at Deauville on August 19 and then possibly head to Newmarket.

"I am very happy with him and he seems to have thrived since Ascot. He has come back from Maisons Laffitte in very good order and we have been delighted with the progress he has made this season."

Other notable contenders for the Dubai Middle Park Stakes include David Wachman's Group Two Railway Stakes victor Probably, while fellow Irish handler Aidan O'Brien's10 entries are headed by Norfolk Stakes runner-up Gale Force Ten.

Richard Hannon's four engaged include Group Two TNT July Stakes winner Alhebayeb and Prix Robert Papin runner-up Sir Prancealot.

A total of 92 entries for the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes includes Dawn Approach, who currently heads the betting for next year's QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket following a dominant display in the Group Two Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 19.

His trainer Jim Bolger has a phenomenal record in the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes, having won four of the last six renewals and he could also run Grafelli, who is following a well-trodden path after winning the Group Three Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown on July 26 - a race Bolger won with New Approach and Teofilo on route to Dubai Dewhurst glory.

Mars, ante-post favourite with bookmakers for next year's Investec Derby at Epsom, is one of 29 entries from O'Brien, who could also saddle Group Two Coventry Stakes third Cristoforo Columbo and impressive maiden scorers Theatre, Flying The Flag and The United States.

Richard Hannon's Olympic Glory finished second in the Coventry Stakes, but has since won the Group Two 32Red.com Superlative Stakes at Newmarket by a head from David Simcock's Birdman on July 14 and runs today at Goodwood.

Hannon's other possibles include the unbeaten Toronado, while Michael Bell and John Gosden have entered exciting maiden winners Azrur and Ghurair respectively.