Overview
- Monday’s confirmation fixed a seven-strong Darley Dewhurst entry that includes Desert Castle, Aidan O’Brien’s Darkness Falls and Great Barrier Reef.
- Desert Castle heads betting after a decisive Champagne Stakes win and is the clear early 4-1 favourite for next year’s 2,000 Guineas as well as the Dewhurst market leader.
- Aidan O’Brien has three juveniles engaged and Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong said Darkness Falls has come out of Leopardstown well with plans currently pointing to Newmarket.
- Several notable juveniles were omitted at confirmation, with Sharadd, Folsom Blues and Monogram among the high-profile absentees from the Dewhurst line-up.
- Separately, last year’s Cesarewitch winner Beylerbeyi is the ante-post favourite from 42 remaining entries to attempt a rare consecutive win in the Club Godolphin Cesarewitch at Newmarket.