Only fourth behind Mabs Cross in last year’s renewal, BATTAASH arrives at the top of his game having finished ahead of the former three times subsequently including when landing the Nunthorpe at York last time. It was soft going when Charlie Hills’ sprinter won this at Chantilly in 2017 and he’s the one they all have to beat today. Gold Vibe and Soldier's Call filled the places in this last year but the latter and Invincible Army both found Fairyland too good at the Curragh recently when So Perfect finished runner-up. Glass Slippers headed Shades Of Blue in last month’s trial here with Sestilio Jet back in fourth while Spinning Memories drops down in trip having easily won a Group 3 sprint over 6f at Deauville last time.
Sestilio Jet (FR) (9-3) 4th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Glass Slippers (8-9) at ParisLongchamp 5f Grp 3 gd in Sep.
Battaash (IRE) 7-4 (9-11) Tracked leaders far side of group and always going well, led on bit approaching final 2f, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on strongly, most impressive (new track record), won at York 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Aug beating Soldier's Call (9-9) by 3 3/4l, 11 ran.
Soldier's Call 13-2 (9-3) Raced in 2nd early, 4th before halfway, pushed along under 2f out, kept on without matching principals inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Fairyland (9-0) at Curragh 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Invincible Army (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Raced in 7th early, closer in 2nd before halfway, pushed along under 2f out, challenged and every chance over 1f out, kept on without matching front pair inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Fairyland (9-0) at Curragh 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Recon Mission (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 13th of 19, 8 3/4l behind Que Amoro (8-7) at York 5f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Gold Vibe (IRE) (8-13) 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Glass Slippers (8-9) at ParisLongchamp 5f Grp 3 gd in Sep.
El Astronaute (IRE) 3-1 (10-0) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Equilateral (9-11) at Doncaster 5f lst stks (1) gf in Sep.
Ken Colt (IRE) (9-2) won at Deauville 5f lst stks (1) sft in Jul beating Pocket Dynamo (8-11) by 2l, 9 ran.
Finsbury Square (IRE) (8-13) 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Mubaalegh (9-2) at Lyon-Parilly 5f stks gs in Sep.
Mabs Cross 4-1 (9-1) A little slow into stride, raced in 9th early, pushed along approaching halfway in 8th, ran on without threatening inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 3 1/4l behind Fairyland (9-0) at Curragh 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Glass Slippers (8-9) won at ParisLongchamp 5f Grp 3 gd in Sep beating Shades Of Blue (8-9) by shd, 12 ran.
So Perfect (USA) 12-1 (9-0) Raced in 6th early, closer in 3rd before halfway, soon pushed along, challenged and every chance inside final furlong, stayed on well, just held, 2nd of 11, shd behind Fairyland (9-0) at Curragh 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Shades Of Blue (IRE) (8-9) 2nd of 12, shd behind Glass Slippers (8-9) at ParisLongchamp 5f Grp 3 gd in Sep.
Fairyland (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Raced in 4th early, 7th before halfway, soon pushed along, improved to challenge and on terms over 1f out, soon led, stayed on well inside final furlong, just held on, won at Curragh 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep beating So Perfect (9-0) by shd, 11 ran.
Spinning Memories (IRE) (8-12) won at Deauville 6f Grp 3 gd in Aug beating Stake Acclaim (9-2) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Jolie (FR) (8-8) 4th of 5, 7 1/2l behind Devil (8-11) at Maisons-Laffitte 6f Grp 3 gd in Sep.
