Dubai Millennium looks set to sidestep next Wednesday's Champagne Lanson Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, it emerged today.
The Group One prize had been mooted as a possible target for Godolphin's Dubai World Cup winner, who also has the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard Jacques Le Marois at Deauville on August 13 as a possible option.
But Godolphin have Aljabr, winner of the #250,000 one-mile contest last season, in the race and have hinted that Josr Algarhoud and Diktat are the only other horses being considered for the event.
Racing manager Simon Crisford said: 'This would be Josr Algarhoud's first try at a Group One.
'He may not definitely take part as he is in masses of Group races but he is ready for a run.
'There is a chance that we may supplement Diktat, but it is only a possibility.'
Almushtarak, third behind Aljabr in 1999, looks set to run in the one-mile contest again.
The seven-year-old has not been seen out since finishing sixth behind Aljabr in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in May.
Trainer Kamil Mahdi said: 'We are planning to run Almushtarak but I hope we get some rain as he wouldn't want the ground too fast.
'He's in very good form and we deliberately haven't run him since Newbury as we have been waiting for this Group One race.
'We don't want to run him too much this season.'
Arkadian Hero, winner of the seven-furlong Van Geest Criterion Stakes at Newmarket last time, is set to step up in trip for the race.
'I was absolutely delighted with his win last time at Newmarket,' he said.
'He's in very good form and Jamie Spencer will ride him again.'
However, following a racecourse gallop at Yarmouth on Tuesday, Irish 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes winner Crimplene remains more likely to go for the Vodafone Nassau Stakes on Saturday.
Trainer Clive Brittain said: 'She's had a bit of a holiday since Ascot, and though the Sussex Stakes has been mentioned, the most likely target is the Nassau Stakes.
'She's in good form.'
Sagitta 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes runner-up Princess Ellen is set to take Crimplene on again.
Trainer Gerard Butler said: 'Princess Ellen is very well and we decided that she needed this step up in trip to 10 furlongs.'
