Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden heads a field of eight declared for the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.
The six-year-old, trained in France by Mikel Delzangles, begins his 2012 campaign on European soil following an epic end to 2011 in which he not only struck in Australia but also lifted the Hong Kong Vase.
There is a second formidable French-trained contender in the shape of Andre Fabre’s Meandre, winner of the Grand Prix de Paris last summer.
John Gosden has declared Masked Marvel, but has warned last year’s St Leger hero will only run if the ground is suitable.
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Fiorente, last seen finishing second in the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, returns to the fray.
A quality field is completed by Luca Cumani’s progressive Quest For Peace, Roger Charlton’s Al Kazeem, Godolphin’s Sadeek’s Song and David O’Meara’s 10-year-old Blue Bajan.
Red Cadeaux, the closest of seconds in the Melbourne Cup, was second to Godolphin’s Colour Vision on his 2012 return in Wednesday’s Group Three Sagaro Stakes.
