Eldaafer won this a year ago with A. U. Miner over 5l back in fourth and Giant Oak just behind in fifth. A. U. Miner suffered major interference as he was making headway and should do best of the trio this time but Pleasant Prince, who ran in the Classic last year, has been crying out for this trip and should fly the flag for the USA. Aidan O'Brien entered Bright Horizon last year but he ran poorly on his first attempt away from turf but at least Harrison's Cave has experience of Polytrack and he should do better though Park Hill Stakes winner Meeznah looks to have a much better chance if taking to the surface. BRIGANTIN had Melbourne Cup hero Dunaden a short-head behind when landing a Group 2 at Longchamp in May and though he's never raced on dirt his trainer has had plenty of success in the Series in the past and can take this for France.
Birdrun (USA) 7-5 (9-0) Outside, flattened out, 6th of 7, 6l behind Flat Out (9-0) at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 in Oct.
Baryshnikov 2-1fav (8-6) 7 wide, lost ground, 5th of 8, 8l behind Future Prospect (8-6) at Turfway Park(USA) 1m 3yo stks in Sep.
Meeznah (USA) 6-1 (9-3) Close up, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 5l behind Dancing Rain (8-10) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 flls (1) gd in Oct.
Pleasant Prince (USA) 13-1 (8-10) 3w,hard drive into str, won at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 3yo stks in Sep beating Rail Trip (8-10) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Giant Oak (USA) 13-5fav (8-7) Loomed 5wd, flattened, 5th of 10, 5l behind Headache (8-3) at Hawthorne(USA) 1m 2f Group 2 sks in Oct.
Brigantin (USA) 4-1 (9-2) 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Kasbah Bliss (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Harrison's Cave 9-4fav (9-2) Rear of mid-division, headway into 7th 5f out, improved to 2nd 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, kept on well, won at Navan 1m 5f hcp 60-90 sft in Oct beating Domination (8-13) by 2 3/4l, 18 ran.
Afleet Again (USA) 11-5fav (8-7) Late run outside, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Hermosillo (8-9) at Monmouth Park(USA) 1m clm stks in Oct.
Cease (USA) 7-2 (8-0) Pressed 3wd,grudgingly, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Headache (8-3) at Hawthorne(USA) 1m 2f Group 2 sks in Oct.
Eldaafer (USA) 7-10fav (8-9) Rated, bid, 2nd best, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Not Abroad (8-9) at Delaware Park(USA) 1m 3yo stks in Sep.
A. U. Miner (USA) 12-1 (9-0) Driven 5w into stretch, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Flat Out (9-0) at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 in Oct.