French King won at the highest level in Germany in 2019 and claimed the massive prize-money on offer for The Amir Trophy in Qatar on his return to action in February. He should confirm latest running with Royal Julius and go close in this but the latter has subsequently finished behind runner-up Way To Paris in a Group 2 over a shorter trip at Longchamp where Villa Rosa and Folamour also finished behind. ZIYAD (NAP) beat the latter in Listed company last year and went on to land a Group 2 over course and distance before going very close in the Woodbine International in October. Carlos Laffon-Parias’ charge made a winning return at Chantilly in March and is fancied to come out best in this.
French King (9-1) won at Doha 1m 4f Grp 1 gd in Feb beating Standard Deviation (8-13) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Royal Julius (IRE) (8-13) 6th of 9, 3 3/4l behind Shaman (8-13) at ParisLongchamp 1m 2f Grp 2 hvy in May.
Way To Paris 28-1 (8-13) 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Shaman (8-13) at ParisLongchamp 1m 2f Grp 2 hvy in May.
Folamour (8-13) 7th of 9, 3 3/4l behind Shaman (8-13) at ParisLongchamp 1m 2f Grp 2 hvy in May.
Ziyad (9-3) won at Chantilly 1m 1f stks pol in Mar beating Soleil Marin (9-1) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Villa Rosa (FR) (8-10) 5th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Shaman (8-13) at ParisLongchamp 1m 2f Grp 2 hvy in May.