This looks a hot renewal with the home challenge led by the impressive Group 2 winner Ramatuelle who is preferred to compatriot Sajir. The latter was beaten by Elite Status over track and trip last month though Karl Burke’s charge found Valiant Force too good over 5f in the Norfolk at Ascot before that. Sacred Angel won the Princess Margaret at the same track last month while RIVER TIBER landed the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot to remain unbeaten. The Ballydoyle colt is fancied to improve further with the testing ground not a problem and Aidan O’Brien won this with Blackbeard last year. Richmond Stakes winner Vandeek is another looking to keep an unbeaten record intact while Jasour had the measure of Thunder Blue when landing the July Stakes on fast going at Newmarket.
Elite Status 11-10fav (8-13) won at Deauville 6f Grp 3 stks sft in Jul beating Sajir (8-13) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Jasour 16-1 (9-2) Keen early, held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul beating Lake Forest (9-2) by 2l, 9 ran.
Thunder Blue 8-1 (9-3) Held up in 5th, pushed along over 2f out, outpaced inside final 2f, weakened soon after, 8th of 9, 6 1/4l behind Haatem (9-3) at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gs in Aug.
Valiant Force (USA) 150-1 (9-3) Raced far side, always prominent, went 2nd in group before halfway, led inside final 2f, clear final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Ascot 5f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jun beating Malc (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Sajir (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Elite Status (8-13) at Deauville 6f Grp 3 stks sft in Jul.
Vandeek 11-8fav (9-2) Slowly into stride, soon recovered tracking leaders far side of group, went 2nd 2f out, led going well over 1f out, clear when drifted right inside final furlong, ridden and stayed on strongly, won at Goodwood 6f Grp 2 stks (1) sft in Aug beating Ballymount Boy (9-2) by 1l, 7 ran.
River Tiber (IRE) 11-8fav (9-3) Tracked leader far side, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Ascot 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jun beating Army Ethos (9-3) by nk, 20 ran.
Sacred Angel (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Travelled strongly, made all, clear when ridden over 1f out, unchallenged, won at Ascot 6f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Jul beating Pretty Crystal (9-2) by 3l, 10 ran.
Ramatuelle (USA) 1-2fav (8-13) won at Chantilly 6f Grp 2 stks in Jul beating His Majesty (9-3) by 4l, 5 ran.
