GALILEO Gold and Minding are two of the big names still in contention for the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood following the latest scratchings deadline.

Hugo Palmer's Galileo Gold is primed to take on his elders for the first time in the prestigious Group 1 event having landed the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot already this season.

Brilliant filly Minding has won the 1000 Guineas, the Oaks and the Pretty Polly Stakes and is one of a number of contenders for Aidan O'Brien.

The master of Ballydoyle could also call upon French 2000 Guineas hero The Gurkha, who was second to Galileo Gold at the Royal meeting.

Another major contender for Ireland is the Kevin Prendergast-trained Awtaad, who beat Galileo Gold to win the Irish Guineas before the form was reversed at Ascot.

Lightning Spear made an encouraging debut for new trainer David Simcock when third in the Queen Anne Stakes last month and is a possible runner at Goodwood on July 27th.

Simcock said: "Lightning Spear is in good order and has come out of Royal Ascot very well. There are no firm plans for him at the moment as we are still deciding, but he is in the Qatar Sussex Stakes and it is a definite option.

"I was delighted with his run at Royal Ascot on ground that, for all he handled it, is not his preferred choice.

"He is definitely better on fast ground and you could not have asked for any more on his first run of the year."

A total of 31 horse are still engaged, while 19 have been scratched, including the American Queen Anne heroine Tepin, Roger Charlton's Time Test and Godolphin representative Tryster.

Minding also headlines 31 fillies and mares going forward for the Qatar Nassau Stakes on July 30th.

O'Brien could also call on Ribblesdale Stakes winner Even Song, although she appears more likely to contest the Darley Irish Oaks on Saturday week.

Also under consideration for the richest race of its kind in Europe at £600,000 is Arabian Queen, one of only two horses to defeat the great Golden Horn when successful in the Juddmonte International at York last season.