Butler ready for Nayir Celebration
The Gerard Butler-trained gelding will be partnered once again by Michael Kinane, who steered him to a close second to Soviet Song in the Sussex Stakes over course and distance last month.
“He worked so well before the Festival (Glorious Goodwood) that I couldn’t see him being out of the frame, and he did run very well there,” said Butler.
“He came up against one of the best milers around, but we won’t be afraid of her next time.”
He is one of 13 entered for Saturday’s Group Two event at the five-day stage.
“He did his last piece of work yesterday morning and I was very pleased with it,” the Blewbury trainer added. “I’ll just leave him now - you can’t teach him any new tricks.”
The race has attracted a number of other Sussex Stakes contenders, namely Hurricane Alan, Passing Glance, Checkit and Tillerman.
Godolphin’s Ancient World landed some hefty bets when taking the William Hill Mile at the Glorious meeting and was last seen finishing eighth in the Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury.
He is one of two Godolphin entries, the other being Kheleyf, while Chic could make a quick reappearance after running out an impressive winner of the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.
Completing the entries are Court Masterpiece, Naahy, Suggestive, Brunel and Kings Point.
