Derby winner Auguste Rodin’s propensity for throwing in the odd bad run is a worry though he’s beaten King Of Steel on a couple of occasions. The latter subsequently won the Champion Stakes at Newmarket a fortnight ago, a race Mostahdaf missed on account of soft ground. The Gosdens’ colt landed a couple of Group 1 races over 1m2f before that while the ONESTO ran a big race to finish third in the Arc at Longchamp last time. That contest has proven a good trial for this over the years and Fabrice Chappet’s colt was unlucky not to finish closer in last year’s Japan Cup, his only previous start on fast ground. Up To The Mark is the leading Turf horse in the U.S. at the moment having rattled-up a hat-trick of Grade 1 victories and is preferred to last year’s third War Like Goddess.
Shahryar (JPN) 7-1 (9-2) 11th of 15, 20 1/4l behind Prognosis (9-2) at Sapporo 1m 2f gf in Aug.
Onesto (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Held up, ridden and made headway 2f out, stayed on, 3rd of 15, 1 3/4l behind Ace Impact (8-12) at ParisLongchamp 1m 4f Grp 1 gs in Oct.
Gold Phoenix (IRE) 13-10fav (9-0) 2wd,3deep 1/4,no rally, 5th of 8, 4l behind Balladeer (8-10) at Santa Anita 1m 2f stks gd in Oct.
Auguste Rodin (IRE) 11-4fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd and headway entering straight, ridden and led 1f out, kept on well under pressure inside final 150 yards, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep beating Luxembourg (9-9) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Broome (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) In touch, pushed along and outpaced 4f out, 6th of 8, 30 1/2l behind Trawlerman (9-9) at Ascot 2m Grp 2 (1) gs in Oct.
Up To The Mark (USA) 9-4 (9-0) Ins,4-w split 1/8,up, won at Keeneland 1m stks gd in Oct beating Master Of The Seas (9-0) by shd, 9 ran.
Mostahdaf (IRE) 3-1 (9-8) Made all and set strong pace, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at York 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Aug beating Nashwa (9-5) by 1l, 4 ran.
Adhamo (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Bmpd brk,stalked 3wide, 3rd of 8, 9 1/2l behind Nations Pride (9-0) at Woodbine 1m 2f stks fm in Oct.
King Of Steel (USA) 3-1fav (9-3) Switched left soon after start, held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, wide and headway approaching final furlong, ridden and stayed on to lead close home, won at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Oct beating Via Sistina (9-4) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Balladeer (USA) 13-2 (8-10) Lug out xing,held game, won at Santa Anita 1m 2f stks gd in Oct beating Masteroffoxhounds (8-10) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
War Like Goddess (USA) 19-5 (8-11) 5w upper, edged clear, won at Belmont At The Big A 1m 4f stks fst in Oct beating Soldier Rising (9-0) by shd, 8 ran.
Bolshoi Ballet (IRE) 11-2 (8-8) Ins,bid1/2,2p3rd,clear, won at Saratoga 1m 4f stks fst in Aug beating Soldier Rising (8-8) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Get Smokin (USA) 18-1 (8-10) Own pace,dug ins,drvg, won at Kentucky Downs 1m 4f stks gd in Sep beating Spooky Channel (8-12) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.