Dubai: Godolphin’s Charming Thought stormed into next season’s English 2,000 Guineas (G1) picture after posting a hard-fought nose victory over odds-on favourite Ivawood in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Friday.

Ridden by William Buick, the Charlie Appleby-trained son of Oasis Dream managed to conjure up just that extra turn of foot to deny Richard Hughes a first victory in the contest whose leading horses become Classic hopefuls.

The winner also earns an automatic invitation to compete in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint (Saturday, November 1), a race that was firstrun in 2011 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

British bookmakers Sky Bet introduced the winner into the betting for the 2000 Guineas at 16/1, pushing Ivawood out to 12s (from 7s) and the firm’s Racing PR Manager Michael Shinners said in Sportling Life.: “This was a big step up in class for the son of Oasis Dream and I was impressed how well he battled to get the better of Ivawood.

“He has to be taken seriously for next year’s QIPCO 2000 Guineas and although the mile is a doubt, the stamina on the dam’s side suggests he could.”

Buick told Channel 4 Racing “All along I was sure I’d won. There were two great horses battling out the finish. This horse has done nothing but improve. It’s a great training performance by Charlie. There’s plenty to look forward to next year.”

Charlie Hills, trainer of third-placed Muhaarar, added: “He’s only been beaten a length by two very good horses, so it was a solid run.

“He’s been on the go since April and he will get a well-deserved break now. Paul [Hanagan] said he didn’t handle the undulations very well, but there should be a lot to look forward to next year.”

The Middle Park Stakes was one of three Group 1 contests that featured on Dubai Future Champions Day.

Meanwhile, Belardo showed himself to be a Classic contender when recording a compelling victory in the Group 1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes as favourite Estidhkaar was a disappointing fourth.

Roger Varian’s colt appeared to benefit from a change of equipement (hood) for the first time as he revelled under in-form rider Andrea Atzeni to score from the front-running Kodi Bear.

Atzeni, who was pocketing a third Group 1 prize this month after the Moyglare Stud Stakes (Cursory Glance) and St Leger Stakes (Kingston Hill) said: “We’ve always liked him a lot. He was a little bit disappointing at Doncaster, maybe the ground was too quick. He settled a lot better than last time so that (a hood) probably helped.”

Varian said: “He’s a super horse and we are so delighted for him and the owner. I probably had him too fresh at Doncaster and he raced too fresh - he was too keen and too exuberant. They’ve gone a better gallop today.”

Sky Bet cut the winner to 14/1 (from 33s) for the 2,000 Guineas and Shinners commented: “He has been a bit of a talking horse this season and showed how good he was today.

“The hood seemed to help him today and although Estidhkaar clearly under performed he looks a real contender for next year’s 2000 Guineas.”