Gentoo won this last year and followed up in the Prix Royal-Oak from Celtic Celeb. Neither has been in the best of form recently and the former is held by the veteran Kasbah Bliss on their run at Saint-Cloud in April. MARIA ROYAL was only fourth a year ago and has run just twice since, both times over an inadequate trip. She's just the type for this and can see off Ley Hunter, who looked ideally suited to testing ground here last time.
Silver Valny (FR) 14-1 (8-11) Midfield, ridden over 2f out, one pace close home, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Ley Hunter (8-13) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
Ley Hunter (USA) 7-1 (8-13) Keen in rear, headway to track leaders 2f out, stayed on to lead on line, won at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep beating Tac De Boistron (8-11) by shd, 9 ran.
Celtic Celeb (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Led, ridden to go clear over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, 5th of 9, 3l behind Ley Hunter (8-13) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
Kasbah Bliss (FR) 12-1 (9-4) Midfield, came wide and ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Jukebox Jury (9-4) at Deauville(FR) 1m 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Tres Rock Danon (FR) 33-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden and not quicken over 1f out, faded final furlong, 8th of 13, 5l behind Jukebox Jury (9-4) at Deauville(FR) 1m 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Brigantin (USA) 11-4 (9-4) Prominent, pressed leader 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 6l behind Ley Hunter (8-13) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
Gentoo (FR) 16-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, eased, last of 13, 17l behind Jukebox Jury (9-4) at Deauville(FR) 1m 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Terre Du Vent (FR) 8-1 (9-3) 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Bernieres (8-7) at Saint-Cloud(FR) 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gs in Sep.
Elyaadi 12-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden entering straight, kept on same pace from 2f out, 7th of 20, 6l behind Goldplated (7-8) at Leopardstown 1m 4f fll hcp gd in Sep.
Maria Royal (IRE) (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden and ran on under pressure final 2f, 4th of 6, 13l behind Danedream (8-7) at Baden-Baden(GER) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) sft in Sep.