Stradivarius has looked as brilliant as ever in the stayers’ cup races this year but finished behind ANTHONY VAN DYCK in the Coronation Cup over 1m4f at Newmarket on his reappearance. Today’s trip may prove his undoing once again and the Ballydoyle colt is fancied to confirm superiority as soft ground and the lack of a clear run were legitimate excuses for a defeat in the Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot last time. Way To Paris landed his first Group 1 with victory in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud back in June but the placed horses, Nagano Gold and Ziyad, have both let the form down since while Skyward looks out of his depth in this company.
Way To Paris (9-2) won at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f Grp 1 gd in Jun beating Nagano Gold (9-2) by nk, 5 ran.
Skyward (FR) (9-1) won at Deauville 1m 4f Grp 3 stks gd in Aug beating Sublimis (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Anthony Van Dyck (IRE) 9-4fav (9-1) Chased leaders on inside, held in by rival over 2f out, not able to quicken over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no impression, 5th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Fanny Logan (8-12) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gs in Jun.
Stradivarius (IRE) 4-7fav (9-9) Close up on inner, not clear run over 1f out, switched left entering final furlong, quickened to lead inside final furlong, readily, won at Goodwood 2m Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Jul beating Nayef Road (9-9) by 1l, 7 ran.
Nagano Gold (9-6) 6th of 7, 5 1/2l behind Donjah (9-2) at Cologne 1m 4f Grp 1 stks gd in Aug.
Ziyad (9-4) 3rd of 7, 7 1/4l behind Telecaster (9-4) at Deauville 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) hvy in Aug.
