Confirmed runners and riders for Saturday's Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket

Impressive Tattersalls Stakes winner Nostrum will bid to maintain his unbeaten record on Saturday when he lines up against six rivals in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained two-year-old was promoted to favouritism for the Newmarket contest after Sakheer was ruled out on Thursday morning.

The Mill Reef winner scoped dirty and was subsequently not declared by trainer Roger Varian after being supplemented just three days ago for the Group 1 race.

Nostrum will be partnered by Richard Kingscote for the first time on Saturday due to regular rider Ryan Moore's commitment to Ballydoyle.

Moore will instead ride Group 2 winner Aesop's Fables for Aidan O'Brien, who is seeking his sixth Dewhurst win in the past decade having last scored with St Mark's Basilica in 2020.

Aesop's Fables is the only Irish entry in the field, but another Group 2 winner involved is the Brian Meehan-trained Isaac Shelby who is set to make his first start since landing the Superlative Stakes in July.

Dual Listed winner Naval Power is another set to put his unbeaten record on the line following a fourth victory at Haydock in September.

The son of Teofilo seeks to deliver back-to-back successes in the race for Charlie Appleby, who scored last year with Native Trail.

Naval Power: bids to emulate Native Trial with success in the DewhurstCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap (3.40) has attracted 23 runners, although the race will not feature ante-post second favourite Adagio following his death on Thursday morning. Irish Cesarewitch winner and ante-post favourite Waterville was also not declared for the race.

The field is led by the Moore-ridden Ahorsewithnoname, who seeks to give Nicky Henderson consecutive wins in the race following the success of Buzz in 2021.

Willie Mullins will bid to equal the record of four wins in the race when he saddles three runners – Baby Zeus, Scaramanga and Gibraltar. The Charles Byrnes-trained Run For Oscar is another strong contender for Ireland and is second favourite.

Darley Dewhurst Stakes runners and riders

Aesop's Fables (Ryan Moore)
Chaldean (Frankie Dettori)
Isaac Shelby (Sean Levey)
Marbaan (Jamie Spencer)
Naval Power (William Buick)
Nostrum (Richard Kingscote)
Royal Scotsman (Jim Crowley)

Darley Dewhurst Stakes (3.00 Newmarket, Saturday)

Coral: 11-8 Nostrum, 7-2 Naval Power, 4 Chaldean, 13-2 Aesop’s Fables, 11 Isaac Shelby, 20 Royal Scotsman, 25 Marbaan

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