Ribchester beat subsequent Group 2 winner Lightning Spear in the Lockinge back in May and just missed out when runner-up in the Sussex Stakes with Zelzal behind. But Richard Fahey’s front-runner is there to be shot at and INNS OF COURT, who was caught on the line by stablemate Al Wukair in the Jaques Le Marois at Deauville last month, is preferred. Owen Burrows sends the Hungerford Stakes winner Massaat over but Taareef has something to find with the selection. Robin Of Navan is best over further and Lady Frankel is upped in class.
Massaat (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, switched left and headway to lead over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Newbury 7f Grp 2 stks (1) sft in Aug beating Librisa Breeze (9-6) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Taareef (USA) (9-5) 5th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Al Wukair (8-12) at Deauville 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Robin Of Navan (FR) (9-2) 8th of 10, dist behind Zarak (9-2) at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f Grp 1 gd in Jul.
Ribchester (IRE) 8-13fav (9-8) Led, brought field to near side in straight and bagged the rail, ridden and not quickening when hung right over 1f out, soon headed, not much room inside final furlong, rallied towards finish, just held, 2nd of 7, nk behind Here Comes When (9-8) at Goodwood 1m Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Aug.
Lightning Spear Evensfav (9-4) In touch, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, led post, won at Goodwood 1m Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Aug beating Zonderland (9-4) by ns, 6 ran.
Inns Of Court (IRE) (8-12) 2nd of 6, shd behind Al Wukair (8-12) at Deauville 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Lady Frankel (8-11) won at Deauville 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug beating Tisbutadream (8-11) by shd, 8 ran.
Zelzal (FR) 4-1 (9-8) Took keen hold, held up in 5th, going for run on near side rail when hampered over 2f out, rallied under pressure on rail over 1f out, weakened final 100 yards, just held on for 4th, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Here Comes When (9-8) at Goodwood 1m Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Aug.
