Strong Godolphin Challenge at HQ

Godolphin’s in-form Caradak tops 19 confirmations for the VC Bet Challenge Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

The five-year-old, fresh from victories in the Celebration Mile and the Prix de la Foret, is one of three possibles from the Saeed bin Suroor stable - Satchem and Byron are also still engaged – for the Group Two contest over seven furlongs.

Caradek may face old adversaries at Headquarters including Killybegs and Welsh Emperor.

Killybegs was short-headed by Caradek in the Celebration Mile, while Welsh Emperor dead-heated for second place with Linngari when a short neck behind the Godolphin runner in the Longchamp Group One.

Aidan O’Brien’s sole representative is Art Museum, the three-year-old colt returning from a 12-month absence to take his 100% record to three at the Curragh recently.

John Gosden can choose from last year’s runner-up Sleeping Indian and Goodwood Group Three victor Stronghold.

Other interesting acceptors include David Chapman’s evergreen nine-year-old Quito, Sir Michael Stoute’s Jeremy and the filly Makderah, trained by Marcus Tregoning.