PERSIAN KING goes from strength to strength and followed success in Group 3 contests with a convincing victory in the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp. Pedigree suggests he’ll prove even better over today’s longer trip and Andre Fabre’s colt is the one they all have to beat. He’s preferred to stablemates Slalom and Roman Candle but the unbeaten Motamarris is a progressive colt and easily beat two rivals in a trial race over course and distance last time. Cape Of Good Hope won the Derby Trial at Epsom but runs here instead with Ryan Moore preferring him of the Ballydoyle trio while Raise You has won a Listed race at Newmarket in good style for Andrew Balding and Kick On landed the Feilden at the latter track before failing to figure in the 2000 Guineas. Surfman was a well beaten third in the Dante at York and will need to step up on that to get involved.
Zarkallani (FR) (9-2) won at Longchamp 1m 2f mdn stks in May beating Bliss For Ever (9-2) by 4l, 7 ran.
Motamarris (IRE) (8-12) won at Chantilly 1m 2f stks gs in May beating Colsen (8-12) by 8l, 6 ran.
Mohawk (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along and no impression over 2f out, no extra from over 1f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 14, 7 1/2l behind Phoenix Of Spain (9-0) at Curragh 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in May.
Rockemperor (IRE) (9-2) 2nd of 7, nk behind Shaman (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 1f Grp 3 stks gd in Apr.
Roman Candle (9-2) won at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f Grp 2 gd in May beating Pappalino (9-2) by nk, 5 ran.
Persian King (IRE) (9-2) won at Longchamp 1m Grp 1 stks gs in May beating Shaman (9-2) by 1l, 12 ran.
Joe Francais (FR) (9-2) 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Slalom (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 3 gd in Apr.
Blenheim Palace (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Pushed along early and soon led, pushed along again approaching straight, ridden under 2f out and kept on, headed 150 yards out, no impression on winner and kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Broome (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) Good - Yielding in May.
Cape Of Good Hope (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) In touch, headway 2f out, soon chased leader, led inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Epsom 1m 2f lst (1) gd in Apr beating Cap Francais (9-1) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Raise You (IRE) Evensfav (9-3) Made all towards centre, ridden and ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 2f lst stks (1) gd in May beating Eightsome Reel (9-3) by 3 3/4l, 6 ran.
Kick On 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led centre group over 2f out until ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 19, 5 1/2l behind Magna Grecia (9-0) at Newmarket 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gd in May.
Slalom (FR) (9-2) won at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 3 gd in Apr beating Syrtis (9-2) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Starmaniac (9-2) 3rd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Roman Candle (9-2) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f Grp 2 gd in May.
Sottsass (FR) (9-2) won at Chantilly 1m 2f lst stks gs in May beating Battle Of Toro (9-2) by 6 1/2l, 6 ran.
Surfman 5-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, ridden and effort from over 2f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Telecaster (9-0) at York 1m 2f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in May.
