This is almost a re-run of the Haies D'Auteuil here in June when P'tit Zig beat Alex De Larreyda by two lengths with Blue Dragon a close-up third and Aubusson fourth. That was a over a longer trip, however, and Paul Nicholls' stayer only got on top close home so there are grounds for thinking that at least one of those behind could reverse the form, though there will be no hanging about as Aubusson's stablemate Reve De Sivola likes to get on with things and will be in the firing-line from flag-fall. ULTRAJI has twice beaten Alex De Larreyda lately and a step up in distance is long overdue. Fabrice Foucher's gelding is tackling Grade 1 company for the first time but has been very lightly-raced and may still be improving.
Ptit Zig (FR) (10-10) won at Auteuil 3m 1f sft in Jun beating Alex De Larredya (10-10) by 2l, 12 ran.
Hippomene (FR) (10-10) 6th of 14, 12 1/2l behind The Stomp (10-10) at Enghien 2m 3f lst sft in Oct.
Ultraji (FR) (10-7) won at Auteuil 2m 3f gd in Oct beating Alex De Larredya (11-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Perly De Clermont (FR) (10-7) 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Ultraji (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 3f gd in Oct.
Alex De Larredya (FR) (11-0) 2nd of 10, 2l behind Ultraji (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 3f gd in Oct.
Reve De Sivola (FR) 7-2 (11-10) Made all, pressed 4 out, ridden after next, stayed on to go 3 lengths clear after last, held on towards finish, won at Haydock 2m 7f (1) hvy in Feb beating One Track Mind (11-2) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Serienschock (GER) (10-12) 4th of 14, 8 3/4l behind The Stomp (10-10) at Enghien 2m 3f lst sft in Oct.
Aubusson (FR) (10-10) 4th of 12, 10 1/4l behind Ptit Zig (10-10) at Auteuil 3m 1f sft in Jun.
Rock The Race (FR) (10-3) 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Ultraji (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 3f gd in Oct.
Blue Dragon (FR) (9-13) won at Moulins 1m 6f stks gd in Oct beating Bibox (10-7) by 12l, 9 ran.
Ballotin (FR) (10-12) won at Auteuil 2m 6f sft in Oct beating Saint Lino (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Solway (FR) (10-10) won at Auteuil 2m 3f lst sft in Oct beating Vezelay (10-5) by 2l, 11 ran.
Le Chateau (FR) (10-5) 5th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Ultraji (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 3f gd in Oct.