A huge field for this Group One sprint and it will be interesting to see how Marchand D'Or copes with the drop back to the minimum trip. Freddie Head's star did edge out Equiano over this trip at Chantilly earlier in the season but could just be vulnerable here and preference is for FLEETING SPIRIT. She ran a cracker at Royal Ascot when third to Equiano in the King's Stand considering her yard was firmly in the doldrums at the time. She took a long time to get over the run but her recent homework has been very encouraging and she is at her best at this trip. Equiano can go well providing he doesn't boil over at the start and Nunthorpe winner Borderlescott is a threat to them all as he will have the furious early pace he craves. The dark horse of the race is German raider Overdose. He looks very good and has to be feared.
Equiano (FR) (9-9) In touch, hung badly left from halfway, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Borderlescott (9-11) at Newmarket 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug.
Black Mambazo (IRE) (8-8) 3rd of 12, 1l behind dhtrs Titus Shadow (9-4) & Gesture (9-4) at Capannelle 6f Grp 3 gf in May.
Strike Up The Band (8-9) Led, ridden over 2f, driven and kept on gamely final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 7, shd behind Fullandby (8-9) at Beverley 5f stk (3) sft in Sept.
Captain Gerrard (IRE) (9-9) Led until halfway, lost place over 1f out, 11th of 14, 11l behind Borderlescott (9-11) at Newmarket 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug.
Wi Dud (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, slightly outpaced over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, nk behind Moorhouse Lad (9-0) at Newbury 5f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sept.
Mariol (FR) (9-5) Held up, headway when not clear run final furlong, 4th of 10, 1l behind Captain's Lover (8-11) at Longchamp 7f Grp 3 (1) hvy in Sept.
Marchand D'or (FR) (9-2) won at Deauville 6f Grp 1 (1) sft in Aug beating African Rose (8-8) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Dandy Man (IRE) (9-11) Held up, under pressure halfway, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous, 7th of 14, 6l behind Borderlescott (9-11) at Newmarket 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug.
Moorhouse Lad (9-0) Pressed leader, led halfway, ridden inside final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Newbury 5f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sept beating Wi Dud (9-0) by a nk, 14 ran.
Borderlescott (9-11) Chased leaders, headway over 1f out, hard driven and ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Newmarket 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug beating National Colour (9-8) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Abraham Lincoln (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Led far side, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 15, 9l behind African Rose (8-12) at Doncaster 6f Grp 1 (1) sft in Sept.
Green Manalishi (9-0) Prominent, ridden 2f out, no impression 1f out, 8th of 14, 2l behind Moorhouse Lad (9-0) at Newbury 5f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sept.
Tiza (SAF) (9-1) won at Deauville 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug beating Inxile (8-11) by 1l, 10 ran.
Enticing (IRE) (9-0) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, stayed on steadily from over 1f out, not reach leaders, 7th of 14, 2l behind Moorhouse Lad (9-0) at Newbury 5f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sept.
Rock Harmonie (FR) (8-8) 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Only Answer (8-13) at Longchamp 5f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sept.
Fleeting Spirit (IRE) (8-9) Went right start, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Equiano (8-12) at Ascot 5f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
National Colour (SAF) (9-8) Prominent, led halfway, soon hung left, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Borderlescott (9-11) at Newmarket 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug.
Desert Lord (9-9) With leader, driven over 1f out, soon beaten, eased inside final furlong, last of 8, 16l behind Galeota (9-9) at Doncaster 5f lst stk (1) sft in Sept.
Overdose (8-11) won at Baden-Baden 6f Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug beating Abbadjinn (9-2) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Only Answer (8-13) won at Longchamp 5f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sept beating Rock Harmonie (8-8) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
