Aidan O'Brien has expressed concerns over the ground for FAME AND GLORY in recent days but he is proven in testing conditions and can land this prestigious prize. The son of Montjeu has been campaigned sparingly this season, claiming Group One wins in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and Coronation Cup. He returned to action with a bloodless win in the Royal Whip Stakes and heads to post a fresh horse. Stablemate Cape Blanco looked much improved when winning the Irish Champion last time but enjoyed the run of the race there and his best form is on a sound surface. There's precious little between Behkabad and Planteur who finished one-two in the Prix Niel and they are both big dangers while Andre Fabre's Plumania could hit the frame at a big price. She chased Midday home in the Prix Vermeille last time and will love the ground here. Youmzain has finished second in this race three times but will do well to repeat the feat this time although he has been a great servant to connections but of more interest is Workforce. Connections took an eternity to commit him to the race but he heads to France and is clearly pleasing them at home. He was a brilliant fast-ground winner of the Investec Derby and perhaps that race left it's mark for he was never going in the King George on his only subsequent start. He'd be a threat to them all if back on-song but testing ground and that lamentable display at Ascot mean Fame And Glory is a safer proposition.
Youmzain (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, driven over 2f out, soon ridden, chased leading pair over 1f out, kept on, no chance with winner, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Harbinger (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
Marinous (FR) 20-1 (9-2) won at Deauville(FR) 1m 4f Grp 2 sft in Aug, 10 ran.
Fame And Glory Evens2fav (9-12) Raced in moderate 3rd, niggled along to close straight, good progress in 2nd 1 1/2f out, led under 1f out, stayed on well to draw clear, comfortably, won at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 2 (1) in Aug beating Dixie Music (9-9) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Pouvoir Absolu 9-1 (9-2) 8th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Marinous (9-2) at Deauville(FR) 1m 4f Grp 2 sft in Aug.
Wiener Walzer (GER) (9-6) 6th of 7, 6l behind Night Magic (9-2) at Baden-Baden(GER) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
Cavalryman (9-6) 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Night Magic (9-2) at Baden-Baden(GER) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
Nakayama Festa (JPN) 9-2 (9-2) 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Duncan (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) sft in Sep.
Timos (GER) 16-1 (9-2) 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Duncan (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) sft in Sep.
Duncan 10-1 (9-2) won at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) sft in Sep beating Nakayama Festa (9-2) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Liang Kay (EG) 11-10fav (9-2) 3rd of 12 Budai (9-0) at Baden-Baden(GER) 1m 2f Grp 3 in Aug.
Plumania 8-1 (9-2) 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Midday (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f flls Grp 1 (1) sft in Sep.
Workforce 8-11fav (8-9) Tracked leader, driven over 3f out, ridden and effort over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 17l behind Harbinger (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
Behkabad (FR) 11-8fav (9-2) won at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) sft in Sep beating Planteur (9-2) by hd, 7 ran.
Cape Blanco (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Made all, set strong pace, ridden clear entering straight, stayed on well under pressure, unchallenged, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Sep beating Rip Van Winkle (9-7) by 6l, 6 ran.
Planteur (IRE) 7-4 (9-2) 2nd of 7, hd behind Behkabad (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) sft in Sep.
Lope De Vega (IRE) 5-2 (8-11) 5th of 6 Fuisse (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
Midas Touch 13-2 (9-0) In touch, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, took 2nd last strides, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Arctic Cosmos (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 6f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
Victoire Pisa (JPN) 6-1 (9-2) 4th of 7, 8l behind Behkabad (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) sft in Sep.
Sarafina (FR) 5-2 (8-7) 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Midday (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f flls Grp 1 (1) sft in Sep.
Tullamore (USA) Evens (9-1) 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Mariydi (9-6) at Velka Chuchle(CZE) 1m 4f Listed stks sft in Jun.
