Hukum is better than ever this season having just prevailed over Westover to land the King George at Ascot in July. Last year’s Champion Stakes winner Bay Bridge proved he stays this far when winning a prep-race at Kempton while the St Leger hero Continuous is still improving and was supplemented for this along with Fantastic Moon. But the ground may not have dried out enough for the German Derby winner having beaten Group 1 winner Feed The Flame in the Prix Niel trial race here last month while the latter was no match for the impressive ACE IMPACT (NAP) in the French Derby back in June. Jean-Claude Rouget’s unbeaten colt warmed-up for this with a victory at Deauville and looks the one to beat with improvement expected over this extra distance. Free Wind has something to find in this company but recent Prix Foy winner Place Du Carrousel won the Prix de l’Opera on last year’s card and the Japanese hope Through Seven Seas gave Equinox a fright at Hanshin last time.
Sisfahan (FR) 7-1 (9-6) Raced in mid division,ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 6, 6 1/2l behind Zagrey (9-6) at Baden-Baden 1m 4f Grp 1 gd in Sep.
Haya Zark (FR) 5-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, no impression when ridden 2f out, 3rd of 5, 3l behind Jack Darcy (9-4) at Deauville 1m 4f Grp 2 sft in Aug.
Onesto (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along on inner early straight and no impression in 6th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong and eased closing stages, 7th of 8, 7 1/4l behind Auguste Rodin (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Simca Mille (IRE) 8-15fav (9-6) Ridden 3f out, led 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Hoppegarten 1m 4f Grp 1 gd in Aug beating Sisfahan (9-6) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Bay Bridge 8-11fav (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Kempton 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Sep beating Candleford (9-7) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.
Westover 7-1 (9-9) Midfield, briefly ridden to press leaders 3f out, soon ridden and headway to lead, held narrow advantage 2f out, soon edged right and pressed for lead, headed entering final furlong, sustained duel with rival inside final furlong, every chance close home but held near finish, 2nd of 10, hd behind Hukum (9-9) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Jul.
Hukum (IRE) 13-2 (9-9) Slightly bumped start, midfield, in behind leaders travelling well 3f out, soon switched left and ridden, 1 length down 2f out, soon stayed on to press leader, headway to lead entering final furlong, sustained duel with rival inside final furlong, held narrow lead close home, found extra near finish, gamely, won at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Jul beating Westover (9-9) by hd, 10 ran.
Place Du Carrousel (IRE) 5-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, led 1f out, ran on well, won at ParisLongchamp 1m 4f Grp 2 sft in Sep beating Iresine (9-3) by shd, 5 ran.
Through Seven Seas (JPN) 40-1 (8-11) In rear, ridden 2f out, hampered when making good headway, stayed on strongly, 2nd of 17, nk behind Equinox (9-2) at Hanshin 1m 3f gf in Jun.
Free Wind (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden to challenge winner entering final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 10, hd behind Warm Heart (9-0) at York 1m 4f Grp 1 fll (1) gf in Aug.
Mr Hollywood (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Always front rank, led inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 6, nk behind Zagrey (9-6) at Baden-Baden 1m 4f Grp 1 gd in Sep.
Feed The Flame 1-2fav (9-3) In rear, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Fantastic Moon (9-3) at ParisLongchamp 1m 4f Grp 2 sft in Sep.
Ace Impact (IRE) 2-7fav (9-2) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, easily, won at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 2 gs in Aug beating Al Riffa (9-2) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Fantastic Moon (GER) 11-2 (9-3) Front rank, caught leader 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, won at ParisLongchamp 1m 4f Grp 2 sft in Sep beating Feed The Flame (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Continuous (JPN) 3-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, took keen hold early stages, switched left and closed over 3f out, switched right over 2f out, soon led, clear over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Doncaster 1m 7f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Sep beating Arrest (9-3) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
