Five of the eight renewals have gone to European raiders with Ballydoyle and John Gosden winning two apiece. Both yards are represented this year but neither Group 1 runner-up Cymric nor Aidan O'Brien's Listed winner Hit It A Bomb have been fortunate with the draw on this inner Turf course. But the latter's stablemate Shogun has a decent post position and may well reverse latest running in France with Cymric while Richard Fahey's Superlative Stakes winner Birchwood could also go well. But the home team look to have a live contender this year in AIROFORCE who kept his unbeaten record intact with a Grade 3 win over a slightly longer trip here earlier this month. He beat Camelot Kitten easily enough and is also preferred to Woodbine Grade 2 winner and stablemate Conquest Daddyo. Saratoga winner Azar is another to consider representing the powerful Todd Pletcher yard.
Dressed In Hermes (USA) 16-10fav (8-6) Stdied early,4wd lane, won at Santa Anita 1m stks gd in Oct beating I'malreadythere (8-8) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Azar (USA) 11-2 (8-10) Bobble st,3w uppr,game, 2nd of 10, nk behind Isotherm (8-6) at Belmont Park 1m stks gd in Sep.
Manhattan Dan (USA) 9-2 (8-6) Near ins,tired fin 1/8, 3rd of 6, shd behind Annual Report (8-6) at Belmont Park 6f stks fst in Oct.
Shogun (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) 6th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Ultra (8-13) at Longchamp 1m Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
Highland Sky (USA) 14-1 (8-6) 4w 2d,check at 1/8pl, 4th of 10, 1 1/4l behind Isotherm (8-6) at Belmont Park 1m stks gd in Sep.
Birchwood (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Took keen hold early, raced in 2nd, challenged over 3f out and soon on terms, led over 2f out, soon joined, headed and one pace 1f out, 3rd of 5, 4 3/4l behind Air Force Blue (9-3) at Curragh 7f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Ray's The Bar 3-1fav (8-6) Ins,traffic upr,split, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Isotherm (8-6) at Belmont Park 1m stks gd in Sep.
Airoforce (USA) 5-1fav (8-6) Took over 4w, cleared, won at Keeneland 1m stks fm in Oct beating Camelot Kitten (8-6) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Sky Marshal (USA) 19-2 (8-10) Blocked,steadied,rally, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Conquest Daddyo (8-10) at Woodbine 1m stks gd in Sep.
Conquest Daddyo (USA) 15-1 (8-10) Off slw,drv clr late, won at Woodbine 1m stks gd in Sep beating Sky Marshal (8-10) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Hollywood Don (USA) 15-2 (8-10) 3wd lane,edged foe 3rd, 3rd of 8, 6 1/2l behind Nyquist (8-10) at Santa Anita 1m stks fst in Sep.
Camelot Kitten (USA) 11-2 (8-6) Off slw,bumped,gaining, 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Airoforce (8-6) at Keeneland 1m stks fm in Oct.
Cymric (USA) 25-1 (8-13) Ridden 2f out, stayed on, 2nd of 11, shd behind Ultra (8-13) at Longchamp 1m Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
Hit It A Bomb (USA) 2-5fav (9-3) Chased leaders in 3rd, 3rd travelling well 2f out, pushed along to lead 1 1/2f out, soon clear, stayed on strongly final furlong, impressive, won at Dundalk 7f lst stks (1) pol in Oct beating Siamsaiocht (8-12) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Sheikh Of Sheikhs (USA) 13-2 (8-9) Pace, gave way late, 6th of 12, 12 1/4l behind Brody's Cause (8-9) at Keeneland 1m stks fst in Oct.
