Little Mike and Point Of Entry finished first and second respectively in last year's renewal. The latter has won both starts this season, though he hasn't raced since June, and the former may have the edge on him once again. The reigning champion warmed up for this with a recent win at Belmont beating previous Grade 1 winner Big Blue Kitten a nose with Real Solution back in third and should make another bold bid. Argentinian import Indy Point has won two of his three starts for Richard Mandella, including a Grade 2 over 1m2f here with Vagabond Shoes second, and he stays this longer trip. But European raiders have an excellent record in this and The Fugue is likely to start favourite having added the Irish Champion Stakes to the list of her Group 1 wins. She's certainly the one to beat on that form though MAGICIAN is also tempting at bigger odds. His win in the Irish 2000 Guineas proved he can compete at this level, but his earlier victory in the Dee Stakes around the tight turns at Chester is perhaps more pertinent here. The 1m4f trip should be no problem on that evidence and Aidan O'Brien's Galileo colt can go close.
Vagabond Shoes (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) 4wd into str,late 2nd, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Indy Point (8-9) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 2f Grp 2 gd in Sep.
Teaks North (USA) 18-1 (8-7) Re-bid,led,outkicked, 5th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Indy Point (8-9) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 2f Grp 2 gd in Sep.
Twilight Eclipse (USA) 15-2 (9-0) Brush st, 2p, no rally, 5th of 10, 6l behind Little Mike (9-0) at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
Little Mike (USA) 7-1 (9-0) 3w both turns, game, won at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep beating Big Blue Kitten (9-0) by shd, 10 ran.
Skyring (USA) 66-1 (9-0) Came 4 w, no threat, 6th of 10, 9l behind Silver Max (9-0) at Keeneland(USA) 1m Grp 2 fst in Oct.
Tale Of A Champion (USA) 14-1 (8-12) Pulled,inside,wkened, 10th of 14, 10l behind Indy Point (8-9) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 2f Grp 2 gd in Sep.
The Fugue 4-1 (9-4) Chased leaders in 5th early, 4th 5f out, close 3rd travelling well entering straight, ridden to lead under 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep beating Al Kazeem (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Point Of Entry (USA) 11-20fav (8-12) 4wd, fought betw, game, won at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Jun beating Optimizer (8-6) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Indy Point (ARG) 2-1fav (8-9) 4wd into str,led 1/16, won at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 2f Grp 2 gd in Sep beating Vagabond Shoes (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Big Blue Kitten (USA) 9-10fav (9-0) Slip 2p,brushes 1/4pl, 2nd of 10, shd behind Little Mike (9-0) at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
Magician (IRE) 5-2 (9-0) Raced wide tracked leaders, ridden and every chance when bumped and hampered over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 9, 13l behind Dawn Approach (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
Real Solution (USA) 9-10fav (9-0) Brush brk, 4w upper, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Little Mike (9-0) at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
