Eagle Mountain could return to Goodwood on Wednesday September 24

Goodwood hosts a quality seven-race card on Wednesday, September 24, with the highlight being the 40,000 Foundation Stakes over just short of 10 furlongs.

The prestigious Listed race, won in previous years by Group Two winners such as Imperial Stride (2006) and Alkaadhem (2004), has attracted a top-quality entry of 21.

The race could see the long-awaited reappearance of the 2007 Derby runner-up Eagle Mountain, who was last seen finishing second in the Group One Champion Stakes at Newmarket 11 months ago. The four-year-old is now trained by Mike De Kock and would be the four-time South African champion trainer's first Goodwood runner.

De Kock said this morning: "We've entered Eagle Mountain in the Foundation Stakes and, at the moment, it is my gut feeling that he will go for the race. He will also be entered for a race at Great Leighs but I would prefer the Goodwood option.

"He had a gallop with Archipenko at Newmarket the other day and it actually went very well. I am very happy with him and he's got several options open to him throughout the autumn.

"We've got him entered in a Group One race in Milan and there is also the possibility of the Breeders' Cup in America. He could also run in a couple of races at Newmarket next month, including the Champion Stakes, but we will see how he comes out of his next race before making any firm plans.

"I think the Foundation Stakes, being a Listed race over 10 furlongs, would be a very good place for him to start his season. He's in very good form and I expect him to run well there."

Another contender who could also return after a long absence is the Luca Cumani-trained Purple Moon.

The five-year-old gelding won the Listed Coutts Glorious Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last year before going on to win the Ebor. He finished a gallant second behind Efficient on his latest start in the two-mile Group One Melbourne Cup at Flemington, Australia, in November.

Sir Michael Stoute has entered Gulf Express, who recorded a comfortable victory over Pinpoint in the Bank of Scotland Investment Service Heritage Handicap at Glorious Goodwood on July 29, and the four-year-old could also reoppose eighth Championship Point as well as five-time Goodwood winner Illustrious Blue who finished 10th.

Mr Aviator, who slipped in that race when finishing 13th, may take on Gulf Express again. The four-year-old colt was second behind Pipedreamer over this course and distance in the Alphameric Vase Heritage Handicap at last year's Glorious Goodwood, won a nine-furlong handicap at the Sussex course earlier in 2007 and gained the biggest success of his career when taking the mile Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot in June.

Richard Hannon jr, assistant to his father, has high hopes for the son of Lear Fan and believes that the colt has the ability to make an impact at Listed level.

He commented: "We've entered Mr Aviator in the Foundation Stakes and it is his intended target at the moment. He loves the course and I think we will go there with a good chance in the race.

"He didn't really enjoy the run of the race last time out and things didn't pan out for him that day. There was too much going on around him on that occasion but we will ride him handy on Wednesday as he's always better when he's near the front of affairs.

"He'll enjoy the forecast good ground and the 10-furlong trip is right up his street. He loves it at Goodwood and I certainly think that he's up to winning a Listed race, especially round his favourite course.

"We've also entered Ordnance Row, who was fourth in this race last year, bur he is set to take his chance in a Listed race at Newbury today."

Victory in the Foundation Stakes would further enhance Hannon senior's position at the top in the race for the Rolls-Royce Dick Hern Memorial Award, which goes to the leading trainer at Goodwood each year. The East Everleigh-based handler currently has 13 wins to his name at the Sussex course in 2008, seven more than his nearest rival John Gosden.

Other notable entries for the Foundation Stakes include Italian Group One scorer Kirklees, who has not raced since winning this race last year, and Godolphin stable companion and Group One Ladbrokes Great Voltigeur Stakes fifth Meydan City. Godolphin and trainer Saeed bin Suroor have a good record in the race and are seeking a fifth Foundation Stakes victory in six years, following the successes of Kirklees, Imperial Stride (2006), Etesaal (2005), and Imtiyaz (2003).

Newmarket trainer Henry Cecil has entered the Khalid Abdulla-owned pair of Many Volumes and Tranquil Tiger, while Harry Dunlop could be represented by Classic Remark, who finished sixth behind Halfway To Heaven in the Group One Blue Square Nassau Stakes.