Last year's winner HIGHLAND REEL (NAP) has fared badly in the draw though he wasn't exactly berthed well a year ago when he had the excellent Flintshire in second, as he did when landing the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita. He's better class than these, none of who would be expected to beat Flintshire, and should overcome his wide position. Big Orange is better drawn and Michael Bell's globetrotter, a quadruple Group 2 winner but still looking for his first victory at the highest level, will be having his first start at the track. He's still expected to get into the frame as Grand Prix De Saint-Cloud winner Silverware disappointed in the Arc when Highland Reel finished runner-up to Found but holds Garlingari and One Foot In Heaven on that Grand Prix run. Helene Happy Star was only fifth behind the selection a year ago while Japan raider Satono Crown was well beaten in the QEII Cup here in April. The latter's compatriot Nuovo Record, runner-up in the Cup a year ago, has fared even worse in the draw and will do well to get into contention but could run on for a place.
Highland Reel (IRE) 19-5 (9-0) Speed,inside,held, won at Santa Anita 1m 4f gd in Nov beating Flintshire (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Silverwave (FR) 16-1 (9-5) 13th of 16, 20 1/2l behind Found (9-2) at Chantilly 1m 4f Grp 1 gd in Oct.
Big Orange (9-4) 3rd of 8, nk behind Beautiful Romance (9-0) at Sandown 1m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
Satono Crown (JPN) (9-2) 14th of 15, 9 1/2l behind Maurice (9-2) at Tokyo 1m 2f (1) fm in Oct.
Helene Happy Star (IRE) (8-11) 4th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Secret Weapon (8-11) at Sha Tin 1m 2f gd in Nov.
Garlingari (FR) (9-6) last of 4, 11 3/4l behind Savoir Vivre (8-6) at Deauville 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
One Foot In Heaven (IRE) (9-6) won at Chantilly 1m 4f Grp 2 stks sft in Oct beating Tiberian (9-2) by shd, 6 ran.
Quechua (ARG) (9-2) 5th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Bahana (7-13) at Kranji 1m 3f gd in Nov.
Flame Hero (NZ) (8-11) 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Secret Weapon (8-11) at Sha Tin 1m 2f gd in Nov.
Benzini (AUS) 10-1 (8-8) won at Eagle Farm 1m 4f (1) gd in Jun beating Sir John Hawkwood (9-0) by nk, 12 ran.
Eastern Express (IRE) (8-11) 6th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Secret Weapon (8-11) at Sha Tin 1m 2f gd in Nov.
Anticipation (IRE) (8-11) 7th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Secret Weapon (8-11) at Sha Tin 1m 2f gd in Nov.
Nuovo Record (JPN) 5-1 (8-10) Came out str,up wire, won at Del Mar 1m 3f stks gd in Nov beating Arles (8-7) by shd, 10 ran.
Smart Layer (JPN) (8-9) 3rd of 13, 2l behind Queens Ring (8-7) at Tokyo 1m 1f Grp 2 stks (1) fm in Oct.