Ante-post favourite Whistlejacket and the recently supplemented Defence Minister are among the 12 confirmations for the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.
Whistlejacket has claimed three victories in his six starts for Aidan O’Brien, including a win in the Group Two July Stakes on Newmarket's July Course. He’s aiming for consecutive Group One wins following his success in the Prix Morny at Deauville.
O’Brien has also included the impressive Round Tower Stakes winner Ides Of March, who has defeated notable contenders like National Stakes favourite Henri Matisse, Camille Pissarro, and Treasure Isle.
Defence Minister, trained by Hamad Al Jehani for Wathnan Racing, is two for two after a debut win at Newmarket followed by a victory at Haydock. He missed Saturday’s Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury due to soft ground after being supplemented just a week ago, but connections have now added him to the Middle Park field at a cost of £20,000. He also holds an entry for Thursday’s Tattersalls Stakes.
Wathnan Racing’s adviser Richard Brown commented, "With the rain and a very changeable forecast, we want to keep a range of options open for Defence Minister. He’s a promising colt, but we know he prefers good ground."
Other contenders include Michael O’Callaghan’s Black Forza, Charlie Appleby’s Gimcrack runner-up Shadow Of Light, along with Andesite (Karl Burke), Dash Dizzy (Charlie Johnston), Intrusively (Ed Bethell), and Jouncy (Andrew Balding).