Hot favourite Ghaiyyath is one of six runners declared for the Juddmonte International Stakes at York.
Charlie Appleby's charge is bidding to complete a Group One hat-trick this season on Wednesday, following tremendous front-running victories in the Coronation Cup at Newmarket and the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
But he is unlikely to have things all his own way on the Knavesmire, with four of his five rivals also winners at the highest level.
Ghaiyyath defeats Enable in the @Coral Eclipse and remains unbeaten under William Buick for Charlie Appleby 👏 👏 pic.twitter.com/3LokufA8FA
— Sandown Park (@Sandownpark) July 5, 2020
The Andrew Balding-trained Kameko claimed Classic glory in the 2000 Guineas in early June, since when he has finished fourth over a mile and a half in the Derby at Epsom and fourth over a mile in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.
The son of Kitten’s Joy tackles the intermediate distance of a mile and a quarter for the first time this week in the hands of champion jockey Oisin Murphy, who was critical of his ride at Goodwood.
Lord North is a major contender for John Gosden, judged on his brilliant display in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Aidan O’Brien, who won the race for a joint-record sixth time with Japan 12 months ago, relies on the top-class mare Magical – a six-time winner in Group One company.
Roger Charlton’s Aspetar and the Mark Johnston-trained Rose Of Kildare complete the sextet. Both horses won over the course and distance last time out, with Aspetar landing the Group Two York Stakes and bargain-buy Rose Of Kildare triumphing in the Musidora.
"Ghaiyyath is a beast of a horse and very flamboyant in the way he runs," Appleby told the Qipco British Champions Series.
"He's going to be tough to beat, but I think it’s one of the stiffest tasks that he’s faced in that he’s running against a few horses who probably have a bit more of a turn of foot than him. He’s going to make it a proper test and we will see what happens.
"We had a frontrunner in Meydan (in the Dubai Millennium Stakes in February) thinking we’d be happy to take a lead, but they just aren’t quick enough to be able to lead him," he said.
"As a three-year-old, he also had a pacesetter (Stage Magic) in the Prix du Prince d’Orange and we sat in behind him, but he could only do it for so long.
"If something wants to go a gallop and we can sit in behind, we’d be just as happy. He’s got a long stride and it’s more a matter of letting him get into his own comfortable rhythm."
Elsewhere on Wednesday's card, Gordon Stakes winner Mogul is among a field of eight declared for the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt had been slightly disappointing on his first two starts this term in the King Edward VII Stakes and the Derby, but returned to form with victory over Highland Chief at Goodwood.
Today's the day!
— Goodwood Racecourse (@Goodwood_Races) July 30, 2020
Mogul delivers victory in the Group 3 John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes in the glorious sunshine for Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien#QatarGoodwoodFestival pic.twitter.com/jXpM88iFNh
Paul Cole’s charge renews rivalry as does the third home that day, the Mark Johnston-trained Subjectivist.
Pyledriver, winner of the King Edward VII Stakes, bids to get back to winning ways after having no luck in the Derby. Trainer William Muir opted to go to the Knavesmire rather than travel to Germany for the Preis von Europa last weekend.
John Gosden saddles Darain, impressive winner of both his starts to date, albeit at a much lower level.
Completing the list for this recognised St Leger trial are Queen’s Vase runner-up Berkshire Rocco, Dante Stakes third Juan Elcano and Roberto Escobarr, promising winner of a novice event on this course last month.
Clive Cox will try to win another major two-year-old prize this season when he sends Royal Scimitar for the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes.
The Lambourn trainer has already lifted the Coventry Stakes with Nando Parrado and the Richmond Stakes with Supremacy.
He now relies on Royal Scimitar, who made a wining debut in game fashion at Newbury a month ago.
Charlie Appleby’s Cloudbridge, Gear Up from the Johnston yard and Praise Of Shadows, trained by Marco Botti, are others to have won their only race to date. Broxi, Darvel, Spycatcher and Titan Rock make up the eight runners.
