Verdict

Starspangledbanner won the July Cup in 2010 and was having only his second outing since when runner-up at the Curragh last month. He should stay this longer trip and will be in the firing-line if doing so. Mashoora won a Group 3 over C&D but couldn't cope with Elusive Kate in the Prix Rothschild last time. She should figure along with the progressive Blue Soave who won his first Group race over track and trip on his latest start. Gordon Lord Byron will appreciate the return to 7f having been caught close home by Society Rock in a Group 1 sprint last time and Penitent has every chance if on one of his going days. However, in a wide-open contest Uwe Stoltefuss looks to have laid out SOMMERABEND for this having run well on his belated seasonal return behind Blue Soave here last month. A repeat of last year's second to Cityscape at Saint-Cloud should see him go very close.

Formwatch

Pintura 16-1 (9-5) In touch center, ridden 1f out, weakened last 100 yards, 10th of 26, 7l behind Captain Ramius (9-0) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) hvy in Sep.

Blue Soave (FR) 8-1 (9-1) Led, clear 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, unchallenged, won at Longchamp(FR) 7f stk gd in Sep beating So Long Malpic (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.

Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Society Rock (9-3) at Haydock 6f Grp 1 (1) fm in Sep.

Penitent 10-1 (9-3) Led far side trio, close up, headway to lead overall over 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Newmarket 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep beating Side Glance (9-3) by nk, 10 ran.

Sommerabend 8-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, short of room and shuffled back 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on well, 4th of 12, 3l behind Blue Soave (9-1) at Longchamp(FR) 7f stk gd in Sep.

Starspangledbanner (AUS) 8-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, switched right under 2f out and headway to challenge 1f out, ridden and led briefly inside final furlong, headed 100 yards out and kept on same pace under pressure, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Maarek (9-8) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1) in Sep.

Lethal Force (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Led, ridden over 1f out, soon hung right, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Libranno (9-4) at Doncaster 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep.

Nice Association (FR) 16-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden and every chance 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 8th of 15, 4l behind Kalahari Gold (9-5) at Longchamp(FR) 7f hcp gs in Sep.

Mashoora (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Prominent, ridden and one pace over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Elusive Kate (8-9) at Deauville(FR) 1m flls Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.

Kendam (FR) 12-1 (8-8) Prominent, squeezed for room first turn, ridden 2f out, weakened final strides, 3rd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Blue Soave (9-1) at Longchamp(FR) 7f stk gd in Sep.

Zantenda 12-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Blue Soave (9-1) at Longchamp(FR) 7f stk gd in Sep.

American Devil (FR) 4-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, beaten and eased 1f out, 10th of 12, 13l behind Blue Soave (9-1) at Longchamp(FR) 7f stk gd in Sep.