Verdict

Cirrus Des Aigles arrived here in good form last year and duly beat a decent field in good style. He could hardly be in better heart this time having won by 10l last time and will be difficult to beat though the field looks stronger this year. BYWORD has had a very light campaign and hasn't been seen since June when comfortably landing a Group 3 at Chantilly. He's a genuine Group 1 performer at his best and beat Twice Over in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Ascot last year so this looks within his capabilities. The Germany-trained Durban Thunder had one-and-a-half lengths to spare over Famous Poet in a Group 1 at Munich in July but Dermot Weld's charge is 6lb better off and can turn the tables. French Navy is progressing fast and looks a big threat while the Japan-trained Nakayama Knight will be much more at home on this quicker ground than the soft going he encountered here last month.

Formwatch

Durban Thunder (GER) (9-6) Led, clear entering straight, ran on well, never in danger, won at Munich(GER) 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) sft in Jul beating Famous Name (9-6) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.

Cirrus Des Aigles (FR) 1-2fav (9-6) Tracked leader, led halfway, ridden and quickened clear 2f out, cosily, won at Deauville(FR) 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) sft in Aug beating Silver Pond (9-6) by 10l, 6 ran.

Byword 8-11fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, quickened to lead 1f out, eased close home, won at Chantilly(FR) 1m Grp 3 (1) gs in Jun beating Vagabond Shoes (8-11) by 3/4l, 8 ran.

Famous Name 14-1 (9-7) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden entering straight, went moderate 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 7l behind So You Think (9-7) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.

Shimraan (FR) 6-4fav (8-11) Midfield, headway to join leaders over 2f out, led 2f out, ran on strongly, won at Longchamp(FR) 1m 2f stks sft in Sep beating Sir Ector (8-11) by 3/4l, 7 ran.

Saga Dream (FR) (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden and challenged over 1f out, ran on well to lead near line, won at Longchamp(FR) 1m 2f Listed stks (1) gd in Sep beating Don Bosco (8-11) by hd, 9 ran.

Vagabond Shoes (IRE) (9-6) Prominent and raced keenly, shaken up 3f out, ridden and not quicken 2f out, eased final furlong, last of 8, 16l behind Musir (9-6) at Veliefendi(TUR) 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep.

Desert Blanc (9-2) Held up, ridden and short of room over 1f out, finally found a gap final furlong, ran on strongly, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Casamento (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.

French Navy 2-1fav (8-7) Held up in last pair, headway towards stands side 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Goodwood 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gs in Sep beating Slumber (8-7) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.

Theo Danon (GER) (9-0) Held up in mid-division, travelled into contention 2f out, edged ahead over 1f out, readily drew clear final furlong, won at Hannover(GER) 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug beating Lindenthaler (9-2) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.

Nakayama Knight (JPN) 16-1 (9-2) In rear, last and ridden over 2f out, no impression final 2f, last of 6, 10l behind Reliable Man (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep.