GOLDEN HORN has frightened away most of what is usually a strong European challenge. John Gosden's brilliant colt won the Arc at Longchamp in scintillating fashion at the start of the month and has more to fear from any further rain than today's opposition. He only beat Aidan O'Brien's Found a length over 1m2f on slow ground in the Irish Champion Stakes last month but confirmed his superiority at Longchamp and the home team will do well to match either of the aforementioned pair. Chad Brown's Big Blue Kitten rates the best of them having landed a Grade 1 over today's trip at Belmont last month beating several of these in the process including Slumber, Twilight Eclipse and Red Rifle, though he he was beaten a neck over a shorter trip in Arlington Million before that by The Pizza Man.
Golden Horn 9-2fav (8-11) Went wide, tracked leader, ridden and led 2f out, kept on strongly, won at Longchamp 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct beating Flintshire (9-5) by 2l, 17 ran.
Shining Copper (USA) 8-1 (9-0) Ins,sprinted off,tired, 5th of 7, 7 1/4l behind Big Blue Kitten (9-0) at Belmont Park 1m 4f stks gd in Sep.
Big John B (USA) 2-1fav (8-9) 3wd move,rallied, won at Del Mar 1m 3f hcp stks gd in Aug beating Ashleyluvssugar (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Slumber 18-5 (9-0) Ins,3w 3/8,closed in, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Big Blue Kitten (9-0) at Belmont Park 1m 4f stks gd in Sep.
Da Big Hoss (USA) 17-4fav (8-11) Inside 2nd turn, won at Kentucky Downs 1m 4f stks gd in Sep beating Power Ped (8-9) by 2l, 13 ran.
Twilight Eclipse (USA) 5-1 (9-0) Ins,shuffle 5/16-1/8, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Big Blue Kitten (9-0) at Belmont Park 1m 4f stks gd in Sep.
Big Blue Kitten (USA) 5-2fav (9-0) Ins,angle 4p 3/8-5/16, won at Belmont Park 1m 4f stks gd in Sep beating Slumber (9-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Cage Fighter (USA) 33-1 (8-9) In hand 2p, nailed, 2nd of 11, shd behind Messi (8-7) at Belmont Park 1m 1f Grp 3 stks gd in Oct.
Found (IRE) 9-2fav (8-11) Held up last, headway and switched right inside final 2f, squeezed through on inner approaching final furlong, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Fascinating Rock (9-5) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Oct.
The Pizza Man (USA) 17-4fav (9-0) Rallied str 3wd,missed, 2nd of 13, hd behind Grand Arch (9-0) at Keeneland 1m stks fm in Oct.
Red Rifle (USA) 16-10fav (9-0) Most 2p,lost whip 1/8, 4th of 7, 7 1/4l behind Big Blue Kitten (9-0) at Belmont Park 1m 4f stks gd in Sep.
Ordak Dan (ARG) (9-8) won at San Isidro 1m 4f in May beating Alma De Acero (9-8) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
