Not the best Group One and AL QASI is taken to land the spoils at the main expense of African Rose. Six furlongs on heavy ground is unlikely to suit the speedball Equiano. He had an interrupted preparation before the Nunthorpe but has been working well at home, however whilst he has raced on soft ground before, it blunts his natural speed and he tends to tire close home. US Ranger looks Ballydoyle's best hope and the ground may not detract from his chance. The drop back to this distance may also prove to be in his favour if they go a strong pace, however his profile suggests that a place will once again beckon and so this may be one Group One that escapes the clutches of Ballydoyle. Ancien Regime lacks experience and whilst he is improving, his lack of racing may mean that he struggles to cope now upped in class. It must also be added that whilst King's Best progeny tend to handle a bit of cut, heavy ground is not a positive. Corrybrough is a strapping, finely-made individual who is sure to be a force next year. However at this level the feeling is that he needs another winter on his back before he fulfils his undoubted his potential so whilst heavy ground should not hinder, he looks opposable. The most interesting of the younger generation may be African Rose who finished well behind Marchand D'Or in the Prix Maurice De Gheest at Deauville. She drops in trip here, and holds a few of her rivals on that run. However she may prove vulnerable over this distance as she doesn't look blessed with speed and they would probably need to too quick out in front for her to win. She holds Utmost Respect on that Deauville clash, but bookmakers have Richard Fahey's runner as favourite. This is all down to the ground as he handles the mud so well, however he is yet to establish himself at anything above Group Three level and is there to be shot at. 2006 winner Reverence is back for another crack but the fact that he couldn't win a Listed race at the Roodee recently suggests that he is up against it. Instead then it may pay to side with a horse who we know handles this ground; Al Qasi. With soft ground and six furlongs, coupled with the likelihood of a strong pace, he is one horse who will be seeing out his race with plenty of fire still in the tank. His draw isn't ideal but some of the fancied runners are nearby and so we will select him to land this valuable prize.
Abraham Lincoln (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Always behind, 15th of 18, 9l behind Masta Plasta (9-11) at Curragh 5f hcp gs in Jul.
Al Qasi (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Awkward leaving the stalls, tracked leaders on outside, led 2f out, going well, headed over 1f out, no chance with winner afterwards, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Paco Boy (9-0) at Newbury 7f Yorks Oaks (1) gs in Aug.
Assertive (9-2) Towards rear on stands side, effort 2f out, no impression, last of 16, 21l behind Marchand D'or (9-2) at Deauville 6f Grp 1 (1) sft in Aug.
Asset (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden and every chance 2f out, held when hampered over 1f out, 5th of 15, 5l behind Miss Lucifer (8-12) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 (1) gs in Oct.
Astronomer Royal (USA) (9-2) Always prominent, one pace, 5th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Marchand D'or (9-2) at Deauville 6f Grp 1 (1) sft in Aug.
Balthazaar's Gift (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, soon ridden, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 17, 3/4l behind Edge Closer (9-4) at Newmarket 6f lst stk (1) gf in Aug.
Knot In Wood (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Towards rear stands side, never dangerous, 14th of 20, 9l behind Tajneed (8-12) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Aug.
Lipocco 9-4fav (9-6) Led, disputed after 2f, led again 2f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra over 1f out and weakened, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Dimenticata (9-3) at Fairyhouse 6f lst stk gd in Jul.
Prime Defender 25-1 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, 8th of 14, 8l behind Borderlescott (9-11) at Newmarket 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug.
Reverence 20-1 (9-0) Behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, nearest at finish, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Green Manalishi (9-4) at Chester 6f lst stk (1) gd in Aug.
Us Ranger (USA) (9-2) Prominent, effort 2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Marchand D'or (9-2) at Deauville 6f Grp 1 (1) sft in Aug.
Utmost Respect (9-2) Mid-division, pushed along 2f out, short of room over 1f out, finished well final furlong, took 3rd 100yds out, 4th of 16, 4l behind Marchand D'or (9-2) at Deauville 6f Grp 1 (1) sft in Aug.
Wi Dud 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders on rail, no extra in 4th approaching 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Look Busy (8-12) at Curragh 5f Grp 3 sft in Aug.
Corrybrough (9-1) Dropped out in rear, still last when angled out for run, finished well but too much to do, 5th of 13, 3l behind Inxile (8-10) at Deauville 5f lst stk (1) sft in Aug.
Equiano (FR) 10-3fav (9-9) In touch, hung badly left from halfway, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Borderlescott (9-11) at Newmarket 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug.
Strike The Deal (USA) 12-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Edge Closer (9-4) at Newmarket 6f lst stk (1) gf in Aug.
African Rose (8-8) Held up mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, ran on to challenge over 1f out, ran on until headed 50yds out, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Marchand D'or (9-2) at Deauville 6f Grp 1 (1) sft in Aug.
