Zensational is sure to be popular but ready preference is for GAYEGO whilst Fleeting Spirit is no forlorn hope. Zensational has lived up to his name in winning three local Grade 1 races in impressive fashion but he's not the most tractable individual and doesn't take to being reined in by his jockey. He hits the gates flying but that tactic is difficult to employ here as he found when turned over at a short price in March. Capt. Candyman Can has yet to translate his dirt form to this surface, Cost Of Freedom has shown little since being scratched from this race last year whilst Fatal Bullet is another with plenty of early although he only found one too strong a year ago. Fleeting Spirit was just run out of the places twelve months ago and this trip may just stretch her to the limit but she's run well all season and looks unlikely to be far away. Gayego ran a quick time when scoring at Dubai in March and he has held his level of form well since returning to the States. He's unbeaten in four attempts at this trip and arguably ran the best trial for this race when winning the Ancient Title Stakes last month where he ran some fast fractions. That last two winners of that race have gone on to take this prize and Gayego can make it three.
Zensational (USA) 3-10fav (8-8) Pulled,ridden out, won at Del Mar(USA) 7f Group 1 stks in Sep beating Noble Court (8-7) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Cost of Freedom (USA) 5-1 (8-12) Bid 3wd,led,outkicked, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Gayego (8-12) at Oak Tree At Santa Anita(USA) 6f 3yo Grp 1 in Oct.
Fatal Bullet (USA) 6-5fav (8-6) Prolonged drive, game, won at Keeneland(USA) 6f Group 3 stks (3yo+) in Oct beating Capt Candyman Can (8-10) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Crown Of Thorns (USA) 8-1 (8-12) Rail bid,led,held 2nd, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Gayego (8-12) at Oak Tree At Santa Anita(USA) 6f 3yo Grp 1 in Oct.
Gayego (USA) 6-5fav (8-12) 4wd into lane,rallied, won at Oak Tree At Santa Anita(USA) 6f 3yo Grp 1 in Oct beating Crown Of Thorns (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Dancing In Silks (USA) 4-1 (8-9) Drifted out str,gamely, won at Oak Tree At Santa Anita(USA) 6f Ext hcp in Oct beating M One Rifle (8-5) by shd, 7 ran.
Join in the Dance (USA) 14-5 (8-3) Rank early, steadied, 4th of 7, 17l behind Gone Astray (8-9) at Thistledown(USA) 1m 1f 3yo Grp 2 in Oct.
Fleeting Spirit (IRE) 11-8fav (9-7) Missed break, soon tracked leaders, ran on strongly final furlong, 2nd of 16, nk behind Total Gallery (9-10) at Longchamp(FR) 5f Grp 1 gd in Oct.
