Plenty with claims in an open renewal. Brando beat Aclaim to win the Maurice de Gheest over an extended 6f at Deauville in August and the latter went on to land the Park Stakes at Doncaster last time. Toscanini was narrowly beaten over today’s trip at York with So Beloved behind while Realtra made a successful journey to Ireland when winning a Group 3 at Tipperary. Zelzal is a Group 1 winner and has claims if back to his best but KARAR is fancied to go one better than last year and pick up the spoils. He found Limato too good last season but finished in front of Attendu on that occasion and should be spot on today having beaten both Dame Du Roi and Zalamea when winning a course and distance trial last month.
Karar (9-2) won at Chantilly 7f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Sep beating Empire Of The Star (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Zelzal (FR) 4-1 (9-8) Took keen hold, held up in 5th, going for run on near side rail when hampered over 2f out, rallied under pressure on rail over 1f out, weakened final 100 yards, just held on for 4th, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Here Comes When (9-8) at Goodwood 1m Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Aug.
Brando 5-1 (9-3) Held up behind, driven inside final 2f, soon ridden and not quicken, never a threat, 9th of 11, 11 3/4l behind Harry Angel (9-1) at Haydock 6f Grp 1 stks (1) hvy in Sep.
Aclaim (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd place, led inside final furlong, soon ridden, held on well towards finish, won at Doncaster 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gs in Sep beating Nathra (9-1) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Toscanini (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, took 2nd post, just failed, 2nd of 18, nk behind Talaayeb (8-6) at York 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Zalamea (IRE) (9-2) 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Karar (9-2) at Chantilly 7f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Sep.
So Beloved 5-4fav (9-1) In rear and keen, ridden over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd place close home, 4th of 6, 4 3/4l behind Donjuan Triumphant (9-1) at Haydock 7f stks (3) gs in Sep.
Attendu (FR) (9-2) won at Deauville 1m Grp 3 gd in Aug beating Wireless (8-13) by nk, 5 ran.
Realtra (IRE) 4-1 (9-8) Broke well, settled in mid-division, switched right to stands' side in straight, ridden and headway 1f out, stayed on well to lead 50 yards out, comfortably, won at Tipperary 7f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Aug beating Drumfad Bay (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Dame Du Roi (IRE) (8-9) 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Karar (9-2) at Chantilly 7f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Sep.
