Awzaan tops Middle Park Stakes five

Mark Johnston’s unbeaten colt Awzaan heads a small but select field of five declared for the Shadwell Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Friday.

The son of Alhaarth, owned by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, took his 100% record to three when landing the Mill Reef Stakes in impressive fashion at Newbury.

He will, however, face formidable opposition from four talented rivals.

The John Gosden-trained Showcasing was a convincing winner of York’s Gimcrack Stakes while the Godolphin-owned Poet’s Voice tackles six furlongs for the first time after making all the running to land the Champagne Stakes over seven furlongs at Doncaster.

Royal Ascot winner Radiohead, from Brian Meehan’s stable takes on Awzaan again after finishing fourth when sent off a short-priced favourite for the Mill Reef.

A quality line-up is completed by sole Irish challenger Arctic, who has yet to taste defeat in three starts.

Tracey Collins’ charge was supplemented for the Group One at the confirmation stage following his victory in the Group Three Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh.