One of the UK's most prestigious two-year-old races, the Middle Park Stakes (Gp1) is run on Friday at Newmarket at 3:40 SA time.
Despite the non appearance of Horatio Nelson, Aiden O"Brien still seems to hold the aces here with Ivan Denisovich and Art Museum.

ALWAYS HOPEFUL: Caused an upset when winning the Richmond Stakes (Gp2) at Goodwood. He ran a good third next time out in the Prix Morny (Gp1). He was a head behind Ivan Denisovich, both finding Silca's Sister to fast. A son of Mind Games, Always Hopeful is from his sire's immediate family. Well beaten on debut by Classic Encounter, Always Hopeful has won twice from five starts.

AMADEUS WOLF: Winner of the Gimcrack Stakes (Gp2) at his latest start. The race didn't look strong and it is difficult to know what to make to of the colt. There is little to choose between him and Red Clubs, although neither look up to winning here. A son of Mozart he is from the family of Awesome Again.

ART MUSEUM: Unbeaten in two starts, the son of Storm Cat takes a step up in class. He impressed all when winning his debut then landed a Listed race in workmanlike style over useful filly Leitra.
The form of his maiden win is not looking strong.
An own brother to last year's smart filly Cherokee, he looks to be O'Brien's second string judging on riding arrangements.

CLASSIC ENCOUNTER: Improved on his debut third to win in a scintillating fashion next time out. Always Hopeful has franked the form in no uncertain fashion since although that colt has clearly improved. He was subsequently third in the Norfolk Stakes (Gp3) although the form of that race isn't working out well. A son of 1998
Middle Park winner Lujain, he will be ridden by Richard Hughes.

GUEST CONNECTIONS: A group three winner in Italy, he has been unplaced in his last two starts. He did beat Norfolk Stakes winner Masta Plasta at his second start but needs drastic improvement to win this. He is a son of Zafonic.

IVAN DENISOVICH: Impressed when winning the July Stakes (Gp3). Those behind him included the smart two year-olds Cool Creek, Black Charmer and Upper Hand. Not rated the top of the Ballydoyle two-year-olds, but this race doesn't look as strong as usual.
He has won two of four starts and was second last time out in the Prix Morny (Gp1)-beating Always Hopeful a head. There should be little to choose between the pair again-with Ivan Denisovich's more fashionable connections resulting in a shorter price. A Danehill son of champion Hollywood Wildcat, his half-brother War Chant won the Breeders Cup Mile.

JOHNNY ALPHA: Once raced, this colt ran second on debut. He was beaten a head by Don't Tell Sue, who has been unplaced since. Further back in the field was the smart Zato. Johnny Alpha has clearly potential but seems to be jumping in the deep end here. He also flyjumped on debut-in April. He is to be ridden by Jimmy Fortune-who enjoyed a group race double last weekend at Newmarket. Johnny Alpha is a son of Namid.

PRINCE OF LIGHT: Won the Sirenia Stakes (Gp3) last time out in good fashion to complete a winning hatrick. He was third on debut to gp winner Ajigolo, and then beat the useful pair of Racer Forever and Criminal Act comfortably in a six furlong race at Goodwood. The Sirenia Stakes doesn't look top class with a 66-1 outsider finishing second but the winner is clearly improving. The Mark Johnston trained colt is from the first crop of Fantastic Light.

RED CLUBS: Was rated top class following his impressive win in the Coventry Stakes (Gp2) but has been beaten in his next three starts. He wasn't disgraced in Gimcrack when beaten a length and a half by Amadeus Wolf, giving the latter five pounds. He should have the beating of that colt here but whether he is good enough to win is another question.

SELECTION
1 Always Hopeful
2 Ivan Denisovich
3 Red Clubs