Giant`s Causeway will face a maximum of seven rivals when he bids for his fourth consecutive Group One victory in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York on Tuesday.
Aidan O`Brien`s three-year-old, who has landed the St James`s Palace Stakes, Coral-Eclipse Stakes and Champagne Lanson Sussex Stakes on his last three starts, could face a rematch with Sandown runner-up Kalanisi, who was beaten a head after a protracted battle with Giant`s Causeway.
O`Brien also confirmed Shoal Creek for the race today.
Sir Michael Stoute, responsible for Kalanisi, also has German Group One winner Greek Dance in the #450,000 contest, which is run over an extended 10 furlongs.
Vodafone Derby runner-up Sakhee, fourth in the Eclipse last time, was a surprise withdrawal from the International.
Owner Hamdan Al Maktoum`s racing manager Angus Gold explained: 'He just wasn`t quite right behind after Sandown.
'He`s OK now and we were hoping to get him ready for York but it hascome too early for him.
'We don`t know exactly when he`ll be back _ sometime in the autumn when we`ll look at races like the Champion Stakes (at Newmarket on October 14th) for him.'
Ela Athena is also engaged in the Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks the following afternoon.
'The owner (Andreas Michael) wanted her to be confirmed so he could have a look at the field,' said trainer Michael Jarvis.
'She`s a probable runner in the Yorkshire Oaks. She`s a good filly but she`s probably better over a mile and a half.'
Sagitta 2000 Guineas third Barathea Guest will be bidding for his first success since landing the Lane`s End Greenham Stakes at Newmarket in April.
Barathea Guest was recently moved from George Margarson`s Newmarket yard to Mick Channon`s West Ilsley base.
Owner John Guest`s racing manager Tim Corby said: 'Barathea Guest will work at West Ilsley tomorrow.
'The horse has settled in very calmly and is in great form.'
David Elsworth will run Lear Spear in the International.
Last year`s Prince Of Wales`s Stakes winner has not been seen out since finishing unplaced behind Dubai Millennium in the Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba in March. The five-year-old was later reported to have injured a shoulder.
Almushtarak, runner-up to Dubai Millennium at Ascot last season, is still looking for his first Group One victory.
Juddmonte International Stakes confirmations: Almushtarak (trained by Kamil Mahdi), Greek Dance (Sir Michael Stoute), Kalanisi (Sir Michael Stoute), Lear Spear (David Elsworth), Ela Athena (Michael Jarvis), Barathea Guest (Mick Channon), Giant`s Causeway (Aidan O`Brien, Ireland), Shoal Creek (Aidan O`Brien, Ireland).
