GORDON Elliott has reported star juvenile Beckford is on target for a tilt at the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh next Sunday. He could meet Aidan O’Brien’s Norfolk Stakes winner Sioux Nation who is among the 36 entries.

Beckford, who was bought by Newtown Anner Stud before he gave Elliott a first pattern win, is two from two over the Phoenix course and distance and will be towards the head of the market in his bid for a top-level race.

“Beckford worked nicely at Leopardstown last week and I’m very happy with him. The Phoenix Stakes will be another step up for him but he is going nicely and I am hoping he can represent us well,” said Elliott.

O’Brien, successful in the Group 1 six-furlong race with Caravaggio last season– his 15th win in the race – may let at least three of his charges take their chance next Sunday.He said: “We have a lot of entries in the Phoenix Stakes and we’ll see how everything is this week but at the moment the lads would be thinking about running Sioux Nation, Declarationofpeace and possibly Actress.”

Other entries include Jessica Harrington’s Marble Hill Stakes winner Brother Bear, Charlie Appleby’s Glorious Journey and Michael O’Callaghan’s I Am Power, who runs in the colours of the trainer’s racing club.

Children will be admitted free on Sunday and there will be plenty of entertainment for younger racegoers.