The unbeaten Beaten Up won the Group 3 St Simon Stakes at Newbury in such easy fashion that a step-up to the highest level doesn't look beyond him. Aidan O'Brien arrives here with the Irish Derby and Secretariat Stakes hero Treasure Beach and the back to form St Nicholas Abbey, who was mightily impressive when landing the Breeders' Cup Turf in November. Either of those could win this but they will need to be at their very best to take on CIRRUS DES AIGLES, who is handed the vote. The Champion Stakes winner got a poor ride in the Hong Kong Cup subsequently and was beaten at long odds-on in his prep run at Chantilly but he'll be right for this and can take it back to France. Mahbooba has been in good form here and deserves her chance at the highest level after her latest Grade 2 success.
Songcraft (IRE) 4-1 (8-11) Held up in midfield, ridden and ran on from over 1f out, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Mikhail Glinka (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gd.
Bold Silvano (SAF) 7-2fav (9-0) Never better than midfield, 12th of 14, 34l behind Capponi (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f Group 1 stks (4yo+) (1).
Beaten Up 7-2 (8-10) Held up in rear, pulled hard, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, clear entering final furlong, easily, won at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gf in Oct beating Al Kazeem (8-10) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Mahbooba (AUS) 8-11fav (9-0) Midfield, ridden over 2f out, ran on well from over 1f out, led final furlong, comfortably, won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Grp 2 flls (1) gd in Feb beating First City (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Cavalryman 20-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden and ran on well 2f out, nearest finish, 2nd of 16, 1l behind Mikhail Glinka (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gd.
Treasure Beach 7-2fav (8-7) Determined drive, 3rd of 16, 6l behind Sarah Lynx (8-11) at Woodbine(USA) 1m 4f Grp 1 fm in Oct.
Jakkalberry (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Held up in midifeld, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Fox Hunt (9-4) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 6f Grp 3 (1) gd.
Cirrus Des Aigles (FR) (9-6) Midfield, ridden and outpaced 2f out, stayed on final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Zazou (9-6) at Chantilly(FR) 1m 1f stk gd.
St Nicholas Abbey (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Uncovered 3/16,cleared, won at Churchill Downs(USA) 1m 4f grd stk (1) gd in Nov beating Sea Moon (8-10) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Shimraan (FR) 10-3fav (9-0) Prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened close home, 8th of 16, 8l behind Mikhail Glinka (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gd.