always prominent, led over 2f out, pushed clear, comfortably
led, ridden, headed over 2f out, kept on same pace
in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, soon faded, eased
missed break, held up, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten
held up, headway over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, soon chasing winner, kept on
tracked leader, ridden to changelle over 2f out, soon one paced
Shirocco looks the one to beat here, and he gets the vote ahead of Hard Top and Munsef. The Andre Fabre-trained selection ended last season by winning the Breeders' Cup Turf, having preceded that with a very good fourth in the 'Arc'. That form stands out and he sets the standard. Hard Top is a lightly-raced colt but he looked good when winning last season's Great Voltigeur. Admittedly, he was disappointing when flopping at Doncaster on his final start, but that came on heavy going. He has a good home reputation and can go well today. Multiple Group winner Bandari is always capable of running well in these type of races, and finished third in this race last year. Best of the others - talented that they are - could prove to be Munsef, who finished second in the John Porter Stakes on his reappearance, so he come here race-fit. Overall, though, the selection has to be Shirocco.
Shirocco (GER) 5-1 (9-0) Drew clear when roused, won at Belmont 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) std in Oct beating Ace (9-0) by 2l, 13 ran.
Bandari (IRE) 5-1 (9-8) Stumbled start, soon close up, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 18l behind Imperial Stride (9-8) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gf in Sept.
Hard Top (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, hampered when weakening over 1f out, 5th of 6, 12l behind Scorpion (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 7f Grp 1 (1) hvy in Sept.
Enforcer 13-2 (9-3) Held up, switched outside and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 10, 3l behind Day Flight (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Gulf (IRE) 50-1 (8-12) Took keen hold towards rear, ridden 4f out, weakened over 3f out, eased over 1f out, 10th of 11, 34l behind Mubtaker (9-1) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Munsef 4-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased winner and every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Mubtaker (9-1) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Self Defense 14-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, outpaced and slightly lost place over 2f out, switched approaching final furlong, chased winner inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Day Flight (9-3) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.