A large UK-trained contingent in an open Group 1 race with a speculative vote going to JOURNEY. She’s not been at her best so far this year but last year’s impressive Group 1 success on Champions Day at Ascot is arguably the best piece of form on offer. Stablemate The Black Princess was beaten by Blond Me in a Group 2 at York back in May and the latter found only Winter too good in the Nassau at Goodwood last time. Ajman Princess won at the highest level for the first time when scoring at Deauville with Left Hand behind. The latter beat Endless Time to win last year’s renewal while the progressive God Given steps up in class after bagging a Group 3 race at Deauville last time. Bateel beat Traffic Jam recently having won a Group 3 at Haydock earlier with Ajman Princess back in third while Baiyouna and Strathspey are unexposed representatives of powerful French yards.
Traffic Jam (IRE) (9-4) 2nd of 6, nk behind Bateel (9-4) at Deauville 1m 4f Grp 2 gd in Aug.
Bateel (IRE) (9-4) won at Deauville 1m 4f Grp 2 gd in Aug beating Traffic Jam (9-4) by nk, 6 ran.
Ajman Princess (IRE) (8-13) won at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 1 gd in Aug beating Siyoushake (8-13) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
The Black Princess (FR) 3-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, not clear run 2f out, switched left over 1f out, soon ridden to challenge, led and edged left final 100 yards, ran on, won at Haydock 1m 4f Grp 2 fll (1) gf in Jul beating Abingdon (9-5) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Endless Time (IRE) 5-2fav (9-6) Held up in mid-division, closer tracking leaders 8f out, not clear run over 2f out, switched left inside final 2f, headway when in the clear over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to lead close home, won at Goodwood 1m 6f Grp 3 fll stks (1) sft in Aug beating Dubka (9-6) by nk, 10 ran.
Blond Me (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, held up in 5th, headway on outside 2f out, driven into 3rd over 1f out, stayed on into 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Winter (8-13) at Goodwood 1m 2f Grp 1 fll stks (1) sft in Aug.
Journey 15-8fav (9-8) Rear of mid-division, 8th and pushed along on outer 3f out, rider dropped whip under 2f out, no impression, 10th of 11, 13 1/2l behind Nezwaah (9-8) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Jul.
Left Hand (8-13) 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Ajman Princess (8-13) at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 1 gd in Aug.
Baiyouna (FR) (8-9) won at Deauville 1m 4f stks gd in Aug beating Casterton (8-12) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Strathspey (8-13) 4th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Sobetsu (8-13) at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 2 gd in Aug.
God Given (8-11) won at Deauville 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug beating Calayana (8-11) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
