Listed winner Jalmoud set off like a scalded cat over the 1m6f of the Queen’s Vase at Ascot last time and faded tamely away in the home straight. Charlie Appleby promptly drops him back in trip for this while Roger Charlton sets Headman a stiff task having won a handicap at Newbury last month, though he’s likely improved since. Andre Fabre has won the last two renewals and the progressive FLOP SHOT looks the one to beat having landed a Group 3 at Chantilly last time by three lengths eased down.
Headman 12-1 (9-7) Raced keenly, held up towards rear, smooth headway over 2f out, led 2f out, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in May beating Sinjaari (9-1) by shd, 15 ran.
Jalmoud 7-1 (9-0) Raced wide into 1st turn, pulled hard and prominent, led after 1f until steadied tracking leaders over 12f out, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 13, dist behind Dashing Willoughby (9-0) at Ascot 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) sft in Jun.
Skazino (FR) (8-12) won at Marseille-borely 1m 2f stks gd in Jun beating Likala (8-9) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Flambeur (USA) (8-12) won at Le Lion D'angers 1m 2f stks gs in Jun beating Tribhuvan (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Flop Shot (IRE) (9-2) won at Chantilly 1m 1f Grp 3 stks gd in May beating Syrtis (9-2) by 3l, 7 ran.
Montviette (FR) (8-13) 7th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Siyarafina (8-13) at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 1 fll in May.
