The ultra-competitive handicap sprint is one of the most valuable contests of its type and has produced numerous Group winners in the past.

Among the entries is last year's winner Zidane, who could bid to become the first dual winner since Sky Diver landed back-to-back renewals in 1967 and 1968.

The James Fanshawe-trained six-year-old returned to action in style this year, snatching victory in the shadow of the post in the Listed Abernant Stakes at Newmarket in April before dropping to five furlongs and finishing fifth in the Group Three Palace House Stakes at the same course in May.

Zidane is one of Blue Square's 14/1 co-favourites in the opening show of betting from the sponsor.

Last year, Zidane denied 2006 winner Borderlescott a second success in the famous race when gaining the advantage in the final strides, but the Robin Bastiman-trained six-year-old could bid to regain his crown on August 2.

Bastiman said: "I've entered Borderlescott up in the Blue-square.com Stewards' Cup, so that race is a possibility, but I'll make my mind up nearer the time.

"He's come out of his Salisbury race in good form, but he's just got beaten by a better horse.

"It's a bit frustrating with him because I can't win anything other than a handicap and he's fairly high in the ratings now. When they get out of the handicap stage, there are no easy races.

"He's only a little horse and he tries his hardest every time. He's difficult to place but he's run well in the Stewards' Cup in the past and it would be nice to win it again. I'm pleased with him."

Borderlescott is a 20/1 chance with Blue Square while the other 14/1 co-favourites are the Roger Charlton-trained Genki, King's Apostle from the William Haggas stable and last month's York winner Tombi.

The David Nicholls-trained Gift Horse, third in the Prince's Stand Stakes at Epsom recently, is one of four of the last five previous winners of the Bluesquare.com Stewards' Cup entered, with 2003 victor Patavellian also engaged.

With two wins in the race already, Nicholls is the joint most successful current trainer in the Stewards' Cup.

The North Yorkshire handler has entered a team of 17 in total.
His large contingent includes Machinist (20/1), successful in the Scurry Handicap at the Curragh in July last year on testing ground, Indian Trail (20/1), sixth in the Scottish Sprint Cup on his most recent start, and Northern Dare (20/1).

The John Gallagher-trained Mac Gille Eoin, winner of that aforementioned six-furlong Epsom contest, is among the entries along with stable companion Pusey Street Lady.

The Simon Dow-trained Merlin's Dancer and the Peter Winkworth-trained Safari Mischief, second and third respectively in the Dash Handicap at Epsom last month, have both been entered.

Abraham Lincoln (20/1), a Group Three runner-up on his most recent start, and Port Of Spain, trained by British and Irish champion trainer Aidan O'Brien, are the two overseas entries.

Last year's sixth Balthazaar's Gift (16/1), who won a listed contest at Windsor on his most recent start, has been entered again by trainer Luca Cumani, while the fourth in that Windsor race, Confuchias, has been engaged by Karl Burke.

Knot In Wood, the Richard Fahey-trained six-year-old who was third in last year's Bluesquare.com Stewards' Cup, is also among the entries, while Richard Hannon could bid for a third success in the Goodwood race with Edge Closer.

The four-year-old had Borderlescott and veteran Ashdown Express behind him when winning the Listed Cathedral Stakes at Salisbury last month.

Other notable entries include the John Hills-trained Dark Islander, who was a close second in the German Group Three 37.von Wert Benazet-Rennen at Baden-Baden last month and recent Great Leighs winner Nota Bene from David Elsworth's yard.

Meanwhile, Atlantic Story, Thebes and Orpsie Boy, from the respective stables of Mick Easterby, Mark Johnson and Nick Littmoden, have all been running well recently.

Blue Square spokesman George Primarolo said: "We are obviously delighted with the entry for this year's Bluesquare.com Stewards' Cup, which will be the showpiece of our second year of sponsorship.

"The first two home last year in Zidane and Borderlescott feature prominently in our betting once again but it could be relatively unexposed sorts which catch the eye."

Bluesquare.com Stewards' Cup – the sponsors' betting: 14 Genki, King's Apostle, Tombi, Zidane, 16 Al Khaleej, Balthazaar's Gift, Chief Editor, Express Wish, Knot In Wood, Lipocco, Royal Rock, Valery Borzov, 20 Abraham Lincoln, Atlantic Story, Baby Strange, Barney McGrew, Borderlescott, Buachill Dona, Edge Closer, Everymanforhimself, Good Gorsoon, Harrison George, Hinton Admiral, Hitchens, Indian Trail, Jimmy Styles, Machinist, Mutamared, Northern Dare, Off The Record, Pearly Wey, Prime Defender, Sohraab, Something, Sundae, Tajneed, Utmost Respect, Viking Spirit, 25/1 bar.