Ask handed Newmarket option

Ask, runner-up in last year’s Canadian International, tops a list of 30 entries for next month’s Group Two stanjamesuk.com Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket.

Michael Stoute’s charge was limited to just three starts last year, winning at Chester and Ascot, before going down by just a nose at Woodbine in October.

The five-year-old is one of two entries for Stoute with Galactic Star also a possible, while fellow Newmarket handler David Elsworth could also be double-handed.

He has entered Gower Song and Balkan Knight, with the former due to run at Newbury on Saturday following a win in Dubai over the winter.

“At this moment in time, the plan is to run Gower Song in the John Porter and then all being well head to Newmarket on May 4,” said Elsworth.

“She has been pleasing in her work since returning from sunnier climes, is fit and in the best form of her life.

“She didn’t get any luck at all (when seventh) in the Sheema Classic, having been drawn 16 of 16.

“Ted Durcan rides her very well and dropped her in but in hindsight that didn’t work out as she didn’t get the best of runs.

“Had she been able to get a good run, she would have been several lengths closer. She is a very good filly.

“Whether old Balkan Knight will be ready, I’m not quite sure. He is a bit backward in his coat but it’s possible he could run as he’s doing very well.”

French trainer Andre Fabre claimed the race with Shirocco two years ago and he has entered both Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe fourth Getaway and Coastal Path in the 12-furlong feature.

Adlerflug, victorious in the 2007 German Derby, is the German entrant from the stable of Jens Hirschberger with Aidan O’Brien having two possibles in last year’s St Leger third and sixth, Honolulu and Macarthur.

Group Three winner Mores Wells from the Kevin Prendergast stable is another potential Irish representative.

Luca Cumani has Lion Sands and the lightly-raced Speed Gifted, while other interesting entries include the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Turf hero Red Rocks and Mick Channon’s pair of Youmzain and Halicarnassus.