UK-trained sprinters have an impressive record in this but the prize could stay at home this year given the progressive COX BAZAR beat a subsequent Group 2 winner when landing a Listed contest at Deauville last time. The Robert Cowell-trained Encore D’or was third on that occasion and the latter runs Evil Spell today but Kyllang Rock is preferred having beaten Fashion Queen in a Listed sprint at York back in May. Lady Macapa represents Clive Cox but needs to step up on this year’s efforts while Gold Vibe and Facilitate are others to note.
Gold Vibe (IRE) (9-3) won at Fontainebleau 6f stks gd in Sep beating Moon Trouble (9-3) by shd, 5 ran.
Largent Du Bonheur (FR) (9-5) won at La Teste De Buch 5f stks gs in Aug beating Malik (8-11) by 3l, 7 ran.
Mubaalegh (9-2) last of 7, 10 1/4l behind Facilitate (8-9) at Deauville 6f stks gs in Aug.
Kyllang Rock (IRE) 3-1 (8-11) Steadied start, waited with in last pair, headway into 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Ornate (9-0) at Nottingham 5f stks (3) gd in Aug.
Cox Bazar (FR) (8-11) won at Deauville 5f lst stks gd in Jul beating Son Cesio (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Lady Macapa 20-1 (9-4) Chased leader, led entering final 2f, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, lost 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Magical Memory (9-7) at Newbury 6f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Jul.
Evil Spell 25-1 (9-6) Mid-division, dropped to 9th halfway, no extra 2f out, eased under 1f out, 11th of 12, 22 3/4l behind Penny Pepper (9-6) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 stks (1) Soft - Heavy in Jun.
Facilitate (8-9) won at Deauville 6f stks gs in Aug beating Pirandello (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Fashion Queen 9-2 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 6 1/4l behind Battaash (9-0) at Sandown 5f lst stks (1) gf in Jun.
California Tee (8-8) 6th of 10, 10 1/4l behind Cox Bazar (8-11) at Deauville 5f lst stks gd in Jul.
