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Classic winners Hermosa (Aidan O'Brien)and Channel (Francis-Henri Graffard) feature among33 entries (13 more than in 2018) for the £600,000 G1 Qatar Nassau Stakes over nearly 10 furlongs, the highlight on the third day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, Ladies' Day, on Thursday, August 1.
Dual British and Irish 1,000 Guineas scorer Hermosa is one of 10 entries for Ireland's champion Flat trainer Aidan O'Brien, who is seeking a fifth Qatar Nassau Stakes victory. The three-year-old daughter of Galileo finished second on her latest start to French raider Watch Me in the G1 Coronation Stakes over a mile at Royal Ascot, but has yet to race over further.
Watch Me's stable companion Channel landed the Prix de Diane (French Oaks, 1m 2f 110y) last time out at Chantilly on June 16 and the Qatar Nassau Stakes is under consideration for the three-year-old daughter of Nathaniel.
Chantilly-based Graffard said: "Channel is in very good form and the Qatar Nassau Stakes is a possible target.
"We are keeping all our options open with her at the moment and we will make a decision nearer the time.
"The options are probably the Nassau or the Prix Jacques Le Marois (at Deauville).
"If she continues to be fit and well in the coming weeks, then the Nassau could definitely be an aim.
"The season could centre around preparing her for the Prix de l'Opera in the autumn.
"I would love to have a runner at Goodwood. It is a place I like very much and I think the track will suit her.
"Channel was very impressive in the Prix de Diane and it was very special to win that race before Watch Me's victory at Royal Ascot."
French representation could also come in the shape of the Alain de Royer Dupre-trained duo of Ashtara, a convincing winner on debut and Edisa, who captured a Listed contest at Longchamp on her latest start. Both fillies are owned by the Aga Khan.
Defending champion Wild Illusion (Charlie Appleby) was the two-length winner of the Qatar Nassau Stakes last year, before capturing the G1 Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp. Godolphin's four-year-of daughter of Dubawi was sixth on her return to action at Longchamp on May 26 and is bidding to become the first horse since Midday (2009, 2010 & 2011) to win back-to-back renewals of the Qatar Nassau Stakes.
Ballydoyle maestro O'Brien's other entries include G1 Investec Oaks second Pink Dogwood, G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes runner-up Magical and 2018 G2 Ribblesdale Stakes winner Magic Wand.
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe second Sea Of Class (William Haggas) returned to action with a fifth-placed effort in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and is another possible contender, as is stable companion Move Swiftly who landed the G2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at the Royal Meeting.
Sir Michael Stoute, targeting a record-equalling eighth success in the Qatar Nassau Stakes, has Duke Of Cambridge Stakes second Rawdaa andlast year's third Veracious engaged. Listed scorer Sun Maiden and last week's Ribblesdale Stakes fourth Queen Power complete the Stoute-trained quartet.
Recent G2 Ribblesdale Stakes scorer Star Catcher is one of three entries for Newmarket trainer John Gosden, seeking a fifth Qatar Nassau Stakes success, along with Listed Cheshire Oaks winner Mehdaayih and Terebellum, third to Antonia De Vega (Ralph Beckett) in Listed company earlier this month at Newbury.
Japanese raider Deirdre (Mitsuru Yashida) finished sixth in the G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes at the Royal Meeting on her latest start and she is another overseas-trained hope among the 33 entries.
QIPCO 1,000 Guineas second Qabala (Roger Varian), Musidora Stakes winner Nausha (Roger Varian) and talented four-year-old Worth Waiting (David Lanigan) are also entered in the Qatar Nassau Stakes, which forms part of the QIPCO British Champions Series.
