AROD is there to be shot at but it's hard to knock his form this year at the highest level and, with no Solow to contend with here, Peter Chapple-Hyam's four-year-old can make all and return to winning ways. Esoterique is the obvious danger as she looked as good as ever when beating Wild Chief and Karakontie in the Jacques Le Marois at Deauville last month, though was only fourth in this last year when given too much to do. Dutch Connection was beaten by Territories over a mile at Chantilly in July and is probably better over 7f but French 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes winner Ervedya should go well having only found a rejuvenated Amazing Maria too good in another Group 1 at last time.
Karakontie (JPN) 9-1 (9-4) 6th of 9, 4 1/4l behind Esoterique (9-1) at Deauville 1m Grp 1 (1) sft in Aug.
Wild Chief (GER) 25-1 (9-4) 3rd of 9, 3l behind Esoterique (9-1) at Deauville 1m Grp 1 (1) sft in Aug.
Guiliani (IRE) (9-6) won at Munich 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul beating Ajalo (8-9) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Ervedya (FR) 4-5fav (8-9) 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Amazing Maria (9-2) at Deauville 1m Grp 1 stks gd in Aug.
Maimara (FR) 4-1fav (8-11) won at Deauville 1m Grp 3 stks sft in Aug beating Akatea (8-11) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Akatea (IRE) 18-1 (8-11) 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Maimara (8-11) at Deauville 1m Grp 3 stks sft in Aug.
Arod (IRE) 6-1 (9-8) Soon led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Solow (9-8) at Goodwood 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Jul.
Esoterique (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) won at Deauville 1m Grp 1 (1) sft in Aug beating Territories (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Territories (IRE) 2-1fav (8-12) 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Esoterique (9-1) at Deauville 1m Grp 1 (1) sft in Aug.
Dutch Connection 9-4fav (8-10) Tracked leaders, stumbled slightly over 3f out, pushed along over 2f out, driven and not quicken over 1f out, stayed on well final 100 yards, went 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Toormore (9-3) at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gs in Jul.
