Walzertakt was awarded this race last year having passed the post in second though he still beat Kicky Blue with Mille Et Mille well behind. But the German challenger will find this year’s renewal tougher as VAZIRABAD looks a cut above the rest. The latter’s winning run came to end in a Group 1 event at Saint-Cloud when dropped back to 1m4f but he’ll take the beating back over this longer distance. Both Nahual and Settler's Son have something to find at this level and may struggle.
Vazirabad (FR) (9-2) 7th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Silverwave (9-2) at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f Grp 1 gd in Jul.
Mille Et Mille (8-12) last of 6, 8 1/4l behind Candarliya (8-9) at Saint-Cloud 1m 6f Grp 2 gd in Jul.
Walzertakt (GER) (9-4) 5th of 8, 5 1/2l behind Nearly Caught (9-4) at Deauville 1m 7f Grp 2 gd in Aug.
Nahual (FR) (9-3) won at Deauville 1m 5f stks gs in Aug beating Zack Hope (8-13) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Settler's Son (IRE) (8-11) won at Chantilly 1m 7f lst stks sft in Jun beating Minotaur (8-11) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Kicky Blue (GER) 50-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden and edged right, plugged on inside final furlong, never a threat, 9th of 17, 12 1/2l behind Order Of St George (9-0) at Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) sft in Jun.