Verdict

Frankuus will probably try and see off his rivals from the front, as he did in a Group 3 at Haydock last month, but he does have a penalty to carry. Forest Ranger is probably the form pick on his latest second in a Group 3 at York but that was over a furlong shorter and Richard Fahey’s colt may find his stamina being tested over this trip. Brendan Brackan is definitely better over a mile and has been disappointing the last twice but Big Country stays further, though is stepping up from handicaps. BORN TO BE ALIVE may be the value as he’s the least exposed and improved to split a Godolphin runner and a Freddie Head-trained favourite in this grade in France last month – both trip and going today will suit.

Formwatch

Brendan Brackan (IRE) 3-1 (9-12) Chased leader in 2nd on outer, pushed along over 3f out and ridden over 2f out, soon dropped to 5th and no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 9 1/4l behind Sir John Lavery (9-2) at Cork 1m lst stks (1) sft in Aug.

Big Country (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 20, 3/4l behind Ballet Concerto (9-3) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Jul.

Frankuus (IRE) 3-1fav (8-11) Tracked leader, keen, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 8l behind Fabricate (9-1) at Windsor 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Aug.

Hibou 8-1 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, 6th under 1f out, no extra final 100 yards, 10th of 27, 5 1/2l behind Elusive Time (8-12) at Curragh 1m Yielding in Aug.

Born To Be Alive (IRE) (8-13) 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Bay Of Poets (8-13) at Clairefontaine 1m 1f lst stks (1) gd in Aug.

Forest Ranger (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) Led, driven over 2f out, ridden and hard pressed over 1f out, kept on when headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Mustashry (9-5) at York 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.