A cracking renewal of this Group 1 with plenty of UK and Irish interest. Roger Varian sends over the Dee Stakes winner El Drama and the Gosden stable, responsible for last year’s winner, runs two with Dante runner-up Megallan preferred to Newmarket winner Derab, though Olivier Peslier’s mount doesn’t have the best of draws. This prize has eluded Aidan O’Brien so far but he holds a strong hand this year with French 2000 Guineas winner St Mark's Basilica and Irish 2000 Guineas third Van Gogh. Jean-Claude Rouget bids to win this for a fourth time in six years and fifth time overall with Makaloun, who beat Millebosc, Fort Payne and Adhamo in the Prix de Guiche. He also saddles the unbeaten Saiydabad and Cheshire Academy but BABY RIDER is a rapidly-improving son of Gleneagles who seems to stay well, despite his pedigree. Pascal Bary’s colt accounted for Smile Makers in the Prix Greffhule at Saint-Cloud with a bit to spare and looks a nice spare ride for Theo Bachelot with Stephane Pasquier claimed for Ninth Titan. Pretty Tiger was controversially disqualified after beat Cheshire Academy in a Longchamp Group 3 and can’t be ignored.
Fort Payne (FR) (9-2) 3rd of 6, 1/2l behind Makaloun (9-2) at Chantilly 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in May.
Derab 10-11fav (9-2) Led 2f, led again 2f out, quickened clear final furlong, impressive, won at Newmarket 1m stks (4) gs in May beating Fireworks (9-2) by 6 1/2l, 13 ran.
Makaloun (FR) (9-2) won at Chantilly 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in May beating Millebosc (9-2) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Saiydabad (USA) (9-2) won at Chantilly 1m 2f lst stks (1) gd in May beating Absurde (9-2) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
El Drama (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Raced wide tracked leader after 1f, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Chester 1m 2f lst stks (1) gs in May beating Maximal (9-0) by 1l, 7 ran.
Millebosc (FR) (9-2) 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Makaloun (9-2) at Chantilly 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in May.
Royal Word (FR) Wootton Bassett colt out of Monarquia.
St Mark's Basilica (FR) (9-2) won at ParisLongchamp 1m Grp 1 stks (1) hvy in May beating Colosseo (9-2) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Baby Rider (FR) (9-2) won at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f Grp 2 stks (1) gs in May beating Smile Makers (9-2) by nk, 7 ran.
Pretty Tiger (IRE) (9-2) 2nd of 9, shd behind Cheshire Academy (9-2) at ParisLongchamp 1m 2f Grp 3 stks hvy in Apr.
Policy Of Truth (FR) (9-2) 4th of 12, 1 3/4l behind St Mark's Basilica (9-2) at ParisLongchamp 1m Grp 1 stks (1) hvy in May.
Sealiway (FR) (9-2) 8th of 12, 2 1/2l behind St Mark's Basilica (9-2) at ParisLongchamp 1m Grp 1 stks (1) hvy in May.
Smile Makers (FR) (9-2) 2nd of 7, nk behind Baby Rider (9-2) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f Grp 2 stks (1) gs in May.
Ninth Titan (IRE) (8-13) 2nd of 7, hd behind Diamantis (8-13) at Chantilly 1m 3f stks gd in Apr.
Megallan 14-1 (9-0) Held up off the pace towards rear, headway and went prominent in chasing group 3f out, hung left from over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, 2f, headed and outstayed final 110 yards, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Hurricane Lane (9-0) at York 1m 2f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in May.
Normandy Bridge (FR) (9-2) 7th of 12, 2 1/4l behind St Mark's Basilica (9-2) at ParisLongchamp 1m Grp 1 stks (1) hvy in May.
Van Gogh (USA) 9-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd and pushed along 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression final 150 yards, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 3 1/4l behind Mac Swiney (9-2) at Curragh 1m Grp 1 (1) Soft - Heavy in May.
Adhamo (IRE) (9-2) 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Makaloun (9-2) at Chantilly 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in May.
Cheshire Academy (FR) (9-2) won at ParisLongchamp 1m 2f Grp 3 stks hvy in Apr beating Pretty Tiger (9-2) by shd, 9 ran.
