Lookin At Lucky has sound claims but will be short enough so we prefer to take a chance with AIKENITE whilst Alfred Nobel should give a good account for the Ballydoyle team. Lookin At Lucky won the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes over this course and distance last month and that race can be regarded as the key trial for this contest. The time was quick and he made up the ground in impressive fashion but he's priced accordingly. Alfred Nobel has had a busy season but that shouldn't be detrimental to his chances and he's better than the bare form of his latest start suggests as he was drawn on the wrong side. He was below his best in the National Stakes but showed a good turn of foot to win a Group 1 prior to that and can make the frame. D' Funnybone has won three of his four starts but he steps up in trip and switches surface so he's plenty to prove given his price. Radiohead has been ponied down to the start the last twice and there has to be a doubt as to whether he'll settle well enough whilst he also has to prove that he can act on the track. Noble's Promise has to be feared given that he got the better of our selection last time but there are grounds for believing that the form can be reversed. Aikenite made up a lot of the ground from the rear that day and would have overhauled the winner in a few more yards. There's more to come from him at this trip and the race should suit a closer and Aikenite can produce a big run at a price.
Alfred Nobel (IRE) Looked smart when winning Group 1 in Ireland in July but not so good in two starts since.
Piscitelli (USA) 30-1 (8-9) Good 3 wide move, 5th of 16, 5l behind Noble's Promise (8-9) at Keeneland(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 1 in Oct.
Beethoven (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and switched right over 1f out, driven, edged right and ran on to lead close home, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct beating Fencing Master (9-1) by nk, 15 ran.
Noble's Promise (USA) 12-1 (8-9) 4 wide move, lasted, won at Keeneland(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 1 in Oct beating Aikenite (8-9) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
D' Funnybone (USA) 9-20fav (8-8) 3wide, drew away, won at Belmont Park(USA) 7f 2yo Grp 2 in Sep beating Discreetly Mine (8-8) by 5l, 8 ran.
Pulsion (USA) 18-1 (8-10) Came out str,btwn late, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Lookin At Lucky (8-10) at Oak Tree At Santa Anita(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 1 in Oct.
Vale Of York (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) Led or disputed, headed final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 11, nk behind Hearts Of Fire (8-11) at San Siro(ITY) 1m 2yo Grp 1 sft in Oct.
Eskendereya (USA) 13-5 (8-4) Split rivals 1/4,clear, won at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 2yo stk gd in Oct beating Western Flyer (8-4) by 7l, 5 ran.
Aikenite (USA) 11-2 (8-9) 5 wide, closed well, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Noble's Promise (8-9) at Keeneland(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 1 in Oct.
Aspire (USA) 4-1 (8-10) Boxed, altered crs, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Homeboykris (8-10) at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 1 in Oct.
Radiohead 14-1 (8-12) Led early, soon steadied into rear, hung left over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish, not reached winner, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Awzaan (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Oct.
William's Kitten (USA) 5-1 (8-10) Rail to 5w,all out, 5th of 7, 2 1/4l behind Bear Tough Guy (8-3) at Woodbine(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 3 in Oct.
Lookin At Lucky (USA) 4-5fav (8-10) 3wd into str,led,held, won at Oak Tree At Santa Anita(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 1 in Oct beating Pulsion (8-10) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
