keen made all towards stand side, ridden and ran on
taken to post early, steadied start and switched left to race towards stand side, in rear, pushed along and headway entering final furlong, ran on, went 2nd post
taken to post early, led centre group, pushed along and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch towards stand side, ridden 2f out, no impression
in rear centre, pushed along 2f out, no impression
tracked leaders towards stand side, pushed along 2f out, ridden and stayed on one pace final furlong
towards rear centre, ridden 2f out, no impression
tracked leaders centre, pushed along to lead this group 2f out, no impression with stand side group final furlong
tracked leaders centre, pushed along 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader centre, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked winner towards stand side, pushed along 2f out, ridden and no impression inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home
BATTAASH has twice finished second to his old rival Blue Point in this race but has also managed to win two Group 1 sprints. He's twice started a short-priced favourite for the Prix de L'Abbaye and been beaten both times, the latest on very testing ground behind Glass Slippers. The latter was undoubtedly impressive at Longchamp and there's no reason why she shouldn't continue to make progress. She looks the only realistic threat though it wouldn't be a shock to see Sergei Prokofiev improve markedly this season and he could snatch a place at a big price. Equilateral, the selection's stable companion, was in cracking form at Meydan earlier this year and is another with strong place prospects. Not many three-year-olds run in this but two have won in the past dozen years so the lightly-raced and progressive Liberty Beach could shake up the established order.
Battaash (IRE) (9-10) 14th of 16, 17 1/2l behind Glass Slippers (9-7) at ParisLongchamp 5f Grp 1 sft in Oct.
Equilateral (9-0) 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Waady (9-0) at Meydan 5f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Feb.
Hit The Bid 9-10fav (9-11) Prominent and disputed lead, led halfway, ridden under 2f out and headed over 1f out, under pressure and no impression inside final furlong, no extra closing stages, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Dr Simpson (8-4) at Dundalk 5f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Oct.
Rocket Action 5-2fav (9-3) Held up, travelled well, headway on inside over 1f out, led entering final furlong, held on, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (2) pol in Nov beating Corinthia Knight (9-7) by hd, 8 ran.
Sergei Prokofiev (CAN) 6-1 (9-7) Dwelt slightly and towards rear, ridden and no impression 1 1/2f out, 10th of 11, 9 1/4l behind Sceptical (9-7) at Naas 5f lst stks (1) gf in Jun.
Tis Marvellous 7-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Dakota Gold (9-3) at Ascot 5f lst stks (1) sft in Oct.
Well Done Fox 22-1 (9-6) Raced wide towards rear, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Far Above (9-6) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Glass Slippers (9-7) won at ParisLongchamp 5f Grp 1 sft in Oct beating So Perfect (9-7) by 3l, 16 ran.
Kurious 6-1 (8-9) Raced on rail, chased leader who raced wide 2f, led inside final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Sandown 5f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jul beating Garrus (8-12) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Shades Of Blue (IRE) 10-3fav (9-3) Keen held up, pushed along 2f out, never on terms, 7th of 12, 3 3/4l behind Far Above (9-6) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Liberty Beach 9-4fav (8-9) Raced freely, chased leaders, closed 2f out, led over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Haydock 6f lst fll stks (1) gs in Jun beating Queen Jo Jo (9-3) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
