The Grey Gatsby won the French Derby in 2014 having landed the Dante before that and John Gosden’s Foundation was third to stablemate Wings Of Desire in the same race at York and may well start favourite for this. Imperial Aviator only won a handicap at Newbury while Ventura Storm was a long way behind Mekhtaal in a Group 2 trial at Deauville last month when Jean-Claude Rouget’s colt bolted up by six lengths. The latter is drawn wide today and so is French Guineas fifth Zarak, who was behind third-placed Dicton at Deauville. Harry Dunlop runs last year’s Group 1 winner Robin Of Navan, beaten by Cloth Of Stars on his reappearance, while Aidan O’Brien runs two with Ryan Moore on Irish 2000 Guineas fourth Bravery. Andre Fabre has won this three times in the last six years but both Talismanic and Floodlight need to improve and preference is for RASEED. Freddie Head’s charge won a Group 3 prep-race over track and trip in April and might just be good enough in a wide-open renewal.
Zarak (FR) (9-2) 5th of 13, 6 1/2l behind The Gurkha (9-2) at Deauville 1m Grp 1 gd in May.
Raseed (9-2) won at Chantilly 1m 2f Grp 3 stks in Apr beating More Than A Dream (9-2) by 3l, 6 ran.
Mekhtaal (9-2) won at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 2 gd in May beating Thewayyouwish (9-2) by 6l, 7 ran.
Royal Julius (IRE) (9-2) 3rd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Mekhtaal (9-2) at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 2 gd in May.
Robin Of Navan (FR) (9-2) 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Cloth Of Stars (9-2) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in May.
Black Sea (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Steadied start, held up in rear, not clear run over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, some late headway, never involved, 9th of 12, 9 1/2l behind Wings of Desire (9-0) at York 1m 2f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in May.
Almanzor (FR) (9-2) won at Chantilly 1m 1f Grp 3 stks gs in May beating Floodlight (9-2) by 2l, 4 ran.
Apilobar (FR) (9-2) 4th of 5, 3 1/4l behind Cloth Of Stars (9-2) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in May.
Floodlight (USA) (9-2) 2nd of 4, 2l behind Almanzor (9-2) at Chantilly 1m 1f Grp 3 stks gs in May.
Talismanic (9-2) won at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f lst stks hvy in May beating Spring Master (9-2) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Foundation (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway 3f out, not clear run over 2f out, soon hampered, stayed on from over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Wings of Desire (9-0) at York 1m 2f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in May.
Ventura Storm (AUS) (9-2) 6th of 7, 7 1/2l behind Mekhtaal (9-2) at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 2 gd in May.
Golden Bridge (FR) (8-13) won at Bordeaux Le Bouscat 1m 4f stks gd in May beating Fee Du Hazard (8-10) by 4l, 6 ran.
Dicton (9-2) 3rd of 13, 5 1/2l behind The Gurkha (9-2) at Deauville 1m Grp 1 gd in May.
Imperial Aviator 7-2fav (8-13) Tracked leading pair, 2nd 2f out, led inside final 2f, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly, eased towards finish, won at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in May beating Cartago (9-5) by 4 1/2l, 15 ran.
Bravery (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Towards rear, soon 7th, no impression from 2f out, chased leaders and slightly impeded over 1f out and edged left, one pace, 4th of 8, 8 1/2l behind Awtaad (9-0) at Curragh 1m Grp 1 (1) Yielding - Soft in May.
Parthenius (GER) (9-2) 5th of 8, 5l behind Millowitsch (9-2) at Krefeld 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Apr.
