Zarak has never won at Group 1 or 2 level but been placed several times including when runner-up to Almanzor in the French Derby. He warmed up for this with an effortless victory in a Group 3 last month where he looked better than ever though faces tougher opposition here. RIBCHESTER is already a winner at the highest level having landed the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville from Vadamos, who later beat Zarak in the Prix du Moulin. Richard Fahey's charge couldn't quicken past Minding in the QE II at Ascot but it was another brilliant performance from him and he looks the one to beat. Mutakayyef was Listed class at best before last season where he only had four starts but won the Group 2 Summer Mile before placed in the Juddmonte behind Postponed and the Woodbine Mile behind the top-class Tepin. Werther, the reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year, has won three times at the highest level in the past year including the Gold Cup at Sha Tin last month where he overcame trouble in-running. He looks a major threat to all and Championship certainly deserves a place in the line-up having done brilliantly here this year including when landing the Group 2 Zabeel Mile last month though like Decorated Knight, who saw off the challenge of Folkswood in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta, he faces a much sterner test here.
Ribchester (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Raced towards far side, took keen hold, early tracking leaders in group, chased winner over 2f out, unable to quicken when slightly hampered and switched left approaching final furlong, stayed on gamely in closing stages, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Minding (8-12) at Ascot 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Oct.
Zarak (FR) (8-13) won at Meydan 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) fm in Feb beating Earnshaw (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Heshem (IRE) (9-4) 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Best Fouad (8-13) at Chantilly 1m 1f stks pol in Mar.
Decorated Knight 2-1fav (9-0) won at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 1 gd in Mar beating Folkswood (9-0) by nk, 12 ran.
Opal Tiara (IRE) (9-0) won at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Feb beating Via Firenze (9-0) by nk, 6 ran.
Mutakayyef 17-5 (8-9) Off slw,2-3w,gamely, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Tepin (8-9) at Woodbine 1m stks gd in Sep.
Mondialiste (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Steadied early,no bid, last of 12, 15 1/2l behind Highland Reel (9-0) at Santa Anita 1m 4f gd in Nov.
Very Special (IRE) (9-3) 5th of 6, 2l behind Opal Tiara (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Feb.
Vivlos (JPN) (0-0) 5th of 16, 1/2l behind at Nakayama 1m 1f fm in Feb.
Debt Collector (NZ) (0-0) 3rd of 1, 1l behind at Kranji 6f in Mar.
Cougar Mountain (IRE) (9-1) 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind at Doha 1m gd in Feb.
Deauville (IRE) 15-2 (8-8) 3w 1/4, outkicked, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Mondialiste (9-0) at Arlington 1m 2f stks (1) gd in Aug.
Long Island Sound (USA) 4-5fav (9-3) Broke well to lead, 3 lengths clear halfway, reduced advantage and driven entering straight, ridden 1 1/2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied and stayed on well to lead close home, won at Dundalk 1m 3f Grp 3 stks pol in Sep beating Battalion (9-8) by nk, 8 ran.
