TAAREEF won this last year and Jean-Claude Rouget’s colt looks to have a leading chance once again. A runner-up to Ribchester over track and trip in the Group 1 Prix du Moulin last time, he meets nothing of that calibre in this and looks the one to beat. Hathal ran well for third in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood on his latest start and Gold Luck was placed in the Prix Jean Prat here in July but Buthela has plenty to prove at this level. The remainder are harder to fancy including the German raiders Noor Al Hawa and Wonnemond.
Wonnemond (GER) (9-6) won at Veliefendi 1m Grp 2 gs in Sep beating Dream Castle (9-2) by 1l, 10 ran.
Taareef (USA) (9-3) 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Ribchester (9-3) at Chantilly 1m Grp 1 stks gd in Sep.
Hathal (USA) 11-2 (9-4) Led, strongly challenged entering final furlong, hard ridden, headed closing stages, no extra, 3rd of 6, 3/4l behind Lightning Spear (9-4) at Goodwood 1m Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Noor Al Hawa (FR) (9-6) 5th of 11, 7 1/4l behind Iquitos (9-6) at Munich 1m 2f Grp 1 stks gd in Jul.
Royal Julius (IRE) (9-2) 8th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Karar (9-2) at Chantilly 7f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Sep.
Wireless (FR) (8-13) 2nd of 5, nk behind Attendu (9-2) at Deauville 1m Grp 3 gd in Aug.
Dicton (9-2) 3rd of 5, 1l behind Attendu (9-2) at Deauville 1m Grp 3 gd in Aug.
Buthela (FR) (8-12) won at Saint-Cloud 1m stks (1) gs in Aug beating Yuman (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Gold Luck (FR) (8-9) last of 6, 3 1/2l behind Al Wukair (8-12) at Deauville 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Aug.