Ascot Brass, who has a tremendous strike-rate in Scandanavia, was beaten less than a length in a Group 2 on his debut here a year ago but ran poorly in his next two starts. Samedi Rien has done her winning in Spain and the South of France so may not be up to this. Southwell winner Light Of Peace goes for the in-form pair Charlie Appleby and James Doyle but the stable's Wild Beauty has a 16lb higher rating. A Grade 1 winner at Woodbine in 2021, she ran in two Group 1's in the spring after landing the Fred Darling at Newbury on her reappearance in April. Carolina Reaper has won four times in New Zealand including a Group 3 last time but this can go to SOFT WHISPER, eight times a winner including in Listed company here and best when fresh.
Ascot Brass (SWE) (9-4) won at Bro Park 1m gd in Sep.
Rising Star 25-1 (9-6) Mid-division on outside, ridden over 2f out, soon hung right and weakened, 8th of 11, 8 1/2l behind Potapova (9-6) at Sandown 1m Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Aug.
Soft Whisper (IRE) 3-1 (9-5) Raced against far rail, always prominent, led just over 2f out, clear over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Ascot 7f lst fll stks (1) gs in Oct beating Queen Aminatu (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Carolina Reaper (NZ) (9-4) 2nd of 12, shd behind at Avondale 1m hcp gd in Apr.
Light Of Peace (IRE) 1-16fav (9-2) Steadied start, disputed 3rd until over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, pushed clear, won at Southwell 7f mdn fll stks (5) pol in Nov beating Regatta Queen (9-2) by 6 1/2l, 5 ran.
Nizaaka (FR) 9-1 (9-3) Towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 12th of 14, 9 1/4l behind Azure Blue (9-2) at Newmarket 6f lst fll stks (1) gd in Oct.
Samedi Rien (IRE) (8-10) won at Hipodromo De La Zarzuela 1m stks sft in Oct beating Rodaballo (9-3) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
White Moonlight (USA) 8-1 (10-2) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final 100 yards, 5th of 9, 4l behind Old Port (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Oct.
Wild Beauty 4-1 (8-13) Never better than mid-division, 5th of 7, 2 1/4l behind Above The Curve (8-13) at ParisLongchamp 1m 2f Grp 1 fll gs in May.