Kieren Fallon has got a great tune out of the previously frustrating Strike The Deal and this should be run to suit. Last year's shock winner Desert Code should go well again but a chance is taken with LORD SHANAKILL. The trip is an issue for Karl Burke's first Group 1 winner as that success came over a mile in France but he also showed a decent level of form at sprint trips as a juvenile. His new trainer has had plenty of time to get to know him and he certainly looks to have a big chance if he can reproduce his mile form over this shorter trip. The locally trained California Flag has produced some good speed figures but he prefers to lead which is difficult to pull off on this circuit whilst holes can be picked in Cannonball's record. Desert Code has enjoyed a light campaign with all eyes presumably on aiming to repeat last year's success. He has a great record at this trip and we know that he'll enjoy this test so he rates highly. Strike The Deal has a similar running style and a man on board who knows this track well. He's arguably in the form of his life at present and looks set for a big run although his recent wins have been over five. Gotta Have Her was an easy winner last time and goes well on this track whilst Diamondrella is versatile with regard to the trip so don't be put off by her recent wins over a mile as she has the gears to be a factor. However, we're going to take Lord Shanakill to make a splash on his US bow.
Noble Court (USA) 7-2 (8-7) 4wd into lane,drift in, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Zensational (8-8) at Del Mar(USA) 7f Group 1 stks in Sep.
Silver Timber (USA) 19-10fav (8-12) 3w turn, clear late, won at Keeneland(USA) 5f Grp 3 sft in Oct beating Mr Nightlinger (8-8) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
California Flag (USA) 16-10fav (8-10) Inside,clear,held, won at Oak Tree At Santa Anita(USA) 6f Grp 3 fm in Oct beating Get Funky (8-4) by 1l, 10 ran.
Lord Shanakill (USA) 12-1 (8-13) Close up in 4th on inside, disputing 2nd 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened just inside final 2f, 5th of 8, 9l behind Rip Van Winkle (8-13) at Goodwood 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Jul.
Get Funky (USA) 10-1 (8-4) Stalked,willingly late, 2nd of 10, 1l behind California Flag (8-10) at Oak Tree At Santa Anita(USA) 6f Grp 3 fm in Oct.
Cannonball (USA) 13-10fav (8-11) Angled out, up late, won at Saratoga(USA) 5f grd stk fm in Sep beating Silver Timber (8-11) by nk, 10 ran.
Gotta Have Her (USA) 6-4fav (8-10) Stdied early,rail bid, won at Oak Tree At Santa Anita(USA) 6f hcp Grd 3 fm in Oct beating Pasar Silbano (8-0) by 2l, 9 ran.
Square Eddie (CAN) 11-1 (8-11) 3wd,4wd,no rally, 6th of 10, 5l behind Gayego (8-12) at Oak Tree At Santa Anita(USA) 6f 3yo Grp 1 in Oct.
Diamondrella 13-5 (8-11) 4 wide 2nd turn, won at Keeneland(USA) 1m Grp 1 sft in Oct beating Tizaqueena (8-11) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Canadian Ballet (USA) 33-10 (8-11) Set pace, held gamely, won at Philadelphia Park(USA) 5f hcp gs in Sep beating Queen Ofthe Catsle (8-9) by hd, 8 ran.
El Gato Malo (USA) 16-5 (8-12) 4wd into str,missed 3d, 4th of 8, 4l behind Neko Bay (8-5) at Oak Tree At Santa Anita(USA) 1m stks (3yo+) in Oct.
Strike The Deal (USA) 9-2 (9-0) Soon outpaced and pushed along in rear, headway from 2f out, chased leaders final furlong, shaken up and ran on well to lead final 50 yards, won at Newbury 5f Grp 3 (1) gf in Sep beating Total Gallery (8-13) by nk, 9 ran.
Desert Code (USA) 15-2 (8-9) Came out str,no rally, 7th of 10, 4l behind California Flag (8-10) at Oak Tree At Santa Anita(USA) 6f Grp 3 fm in Oct.
Delta Storm (USA) 18-1 (8-12) Steadied 3-1/2,3wd str, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Gayego (8-12) at Oak Tree At Santa Anita(USA) 6f 3yo Grp 1 in Oct.
Tenga Cat (USA) 10-1 (8-3) Pulled,dueled,wkened, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind California Flag (8-10) at Oak Tree At Santa Anita(USA) 6f Grp 3 fm in Oct.
Cherokee Heaven (USA) 22-1 (8-2) Off bit slow,3wd lane, 8th of 10, 4 1/2l behind California Flag (8-10) at Oak Tree At Santa Anita(USA) 6f Grp 3 fm in Oct.
