Australian imports So You Think and Helmet are among 36 rivals slated to take on superstar Frankel in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on August 1.
Sir Henry Cecil’s four-year-old won the Group One event last term, comprehensively beating headline older horse Canford Cliffs in a battle which was dubbed ‘the duel on the Downs’.
Frankel made a typically brilliant return to action in the Lockinge at Newbury earlier this month and is now unbeaten in 10 races.
Despite that unblemished record, Canford Cliffs’ trainer Richard Hannon is keen to take him on again with four entries to choose from this time.
Dubawi Gold, Trumpet Major, Harbour Watch and Strong Suit, a late defector from the Lockinge, are all in the mix, with the latter a comfortable victor in last year’s Lennox Stakes at this meeting.
Harbour Watch, who has yet to run this term, also landed the Richmond Stakes before being sidelined.
Aidan O’Brien is responsible for no less than 14 of the 37 entries, including the winners of both the 2000 and 1000 Guineas, Camelot and Homecoming Queen, as well as Irish 2000 Guineas victor Power.
The trainer has also entered Excelebration, who has finished second to Frankel on three occasions, along with multiple Group One winner So You Think.
Jim Bolger’s Parish Hall and the John Oxx-trained Born To Sea are the other two Irish-trained entries.
There are three entries from Godolphin including Helmet who won the Group One Caulfield Guineas last October and is now in the care of Mahmood Al Zarooni.
As expected, Australian sensation Black Caviar does not feature on the list of contenders.
