Ziyad was narrowly beaten by Coronet in last year’s renewal but ran below par when favourite at Deauville in May when Folamour was also well beaten by Way To Paris. The latter has subsequently gone close in the Group 1 Prix Ganay but OLD PERSIAN has winning form at the highest level. Charlie Appleby’s charge won the Sheema Classic in Dubai last year before landing the Northern Dancer at Woodbine in September and the lack of a recent run is not a problem for the Godolphin charge. Nagano Gold looks up against it in this company.
Way To Paris (9-2) 2nd of 5, hd behind Sottsass (9-2) at Chantilly 1m 2f Grp 1 gs in Jun.
Old Persian 19-5 (9-0) Pulled,steadied early, 11th of 12, 8 1/2l behind Bricks And Mortar (9-0) at Santa Anita 1m 4f gd in Nov.
Nagano Gold (9-5) 8th of 12, 26l behind Waldgeist (9-5) at ParisLongchamp 1m 4f Grp 1 sft in Oct.
Folamour (8-13) 4th of 6, 7 1/2l behind Way To Paris (8-13) at Deauville 1m 4f Grp 2 stks gd in May.
Ziyad (8-13) 5th of 6, 7 1/2l behind Way To Paris (8-13) at Deauville 1m 4f Grp 2 stks gd in May.
