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| Staff Writer |
The sprint championship has attracted a stellar field of 22, headlined by 2000 Guineas third Shadow Of Light, who drops back from a mile to his optimum six-furlong trip for Charlie Appleby.
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The colt was champion juvenile last year, completing the Middle Park-Dewhurst Stakes double, and showed his class when third behind Notable Speech in the Guineas. The return to six furlongs should suit perfectly.
Ger Lyons' Babouche provides formidable opposition, having beaten the boys in last year's Phoenix Stakes. The Juddmonte-owned filly has shown she can mix it with the best colts.
O'Brien fields a strong team led by Whistlejacket under Ryan Moore, with Ides Of March providing a second string. Andrew Balding's Jonquil, also owned by Juddmonte, creates an interesting selection dilemma for connections given Babouche's presence.
International interest comes from Francis Graffard's Rayevka (supplemented) representing the Aga Khan Studs, and American raider Shisospicy from Jose d'Angelo's barn, who won a Grade Three at Churchill Downs last month.
Graffard adds to his squad following his stable tour revelation in the Racing Post, whilst Qatar Racing and US-based d'Angelo have added Shisospicy, the easy winner of a Grade Three fillies' race over five and a half furlongs.
Big Mojo for Appleby and Arizona Blaze for Adrian Murray add further depth to the competitive renewal.