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City Of Troy heads eight-strong Dewhurst line-up

3 minute read

City Of Troy will face seven rivals as he bids to remain unbeaten for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

CITY OF TROY (L, dark blue cap) winning the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket in England. Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

The son of Justify created a deep impression when following up his debut success with a remarkable six-and-a-half-length victory over the reopposing Haatem in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes on the July Course. Aidan O'Brien's Classic favourite had been set to take his place in the Group 1 National Stakes last month but was ruled out late on due to unsuitable ground.

As expected, both National Stakes scorer Henry Longfellow and Coventry Stakes winner River Tiber did not feature amongst the eight declarations, although stablemate Henry Adams will take his place to ensure O'Brien is double-handed on Saturday.

The form of Iberian's Champagne Stakes success at Doncaster took a boost when Rosallion landed the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp on Arc weekend and connections of the Charlie Hills-trained runner will be hoping they can topple the likely warm odds-on favourite.

James Doyle will partner the supplemented Mill Reef winner Array, with Oisin Murphy engaged to ride 1000 Guineas heroine Mawj on her reappearance in America, while Shadwell and Owen Burrows will be hoping for further Group 1 success as Alyanaabi steps up in class following his Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes win on the Rowley Mile earlier this month.

Indian Run and Eben Shaddad complete the field of eight.

A full field of thirty-four has been declared for the Cesarewitch Handicap with Brian Ellison's Tashkhan heading the weights.

Ryan Moore has been booked to partner the Gordon Elliott-trained market leader Pied Piper, with Emmet Mullins' Cheltenham Festival winner The Shunter also featuring amongst the final declarations for owner JP McManus.