High-class miler PALACE PIER bids to repeat last year’s victory in this. Unbeaten so far this season having finished well ahead of subsequent Group 2 winner Order Of Australia in the Queen Anne at Ascot last time, he remains the one to beat. Last year’s runner-up Alpine Star has claims once again with last month’s seasonal debut under her belt while 2000 Guineas hero Poetic Flare has the beating of Chindit and looks sure to be thereabouts at the finish. The unexposed Midtown placed in the Prix Jean Prat on his first start at the highest level but Mickael Barzalona sticks with stablemate Victor Ludorum, who finished in front of Ecrivain in a Group 1 at Longchamp earlier and won a Group 3 race last time.
Palace Pier 2-7fav (9-0) Dwelt close up, headway to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Ascot 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jun beating Lope Y Fernandez (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Victor Ludorum (9-2) won at Chantilly 1m Grp 3 stks gs in Jul beating Brentford Hope (9-2) by 3l, 6 ran.
Order Of Australia (IRE) 18-1 (9-8) Led until 3f out, chased leader, jinked left over 2f out, lost 2nd soon after, chased leaders, weakened and lost two places towards finish, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Alcohol Free (8-11) at Goodwood 1m Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Jul.
Ecrivain (FR) (8-13) won at Chantilly 1m Grp 3 gs in Jun beating Sagamiyra (8-10) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Alpine Star (IRE) 4-5fav (9-4) Chased leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, ran on close home, just failed, 2nd of 7, shd behind Aristia (8-9) at York 1m 2f lst fll stks (1) gf in Jul.
Poetic Flare (IRE) 11-8fav (9-0) Raced keenly in close 3rd, slightly impeded over 2f out, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead and wandered right then left over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Alcohol Free (8-11) at Goodwood 1m Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Jul.
Midtown (9-2) 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Laws Of Indices (9-2) at Deauville 7f Grp 1 stks hvy in Jul.
Chindit (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Towards rear, pushed along and headway over 1f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 5 3/4l behind Poetic Flare (9-0) at Ascot 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jun.