Last year's winner Alkaadhem is fancied to retain his crown. Leporello could be good value to chase him home, while there is not much between Etesaal, Collisay and Blythe Knight, who fought out a good finish at Newmarket last month. Etesaal came out on top on that occasion and, on the same terms, he should uphold the form if handling the undulating nature of the track. Leporello has no questions to answer on that score, as he won the Group Three Select Stakes here a couple of years ago. He has not stood much racing since then but reportedly retains plenty of ability. The market will tell us whether he is expected to pay off a few bills with some place prize-money today. However, Alkaadhem (winner of the Select Stakes last year) also has a cracking record at the track and will be hard to beat, despite being set to carry a 9lb penalty for winning a Group Two in Dubai in March. The ground will be spot on for the five-year-old, who has all the correct attributes to be expected to run another big race here.
Alkaadhem 7-2 (9-1) Held up, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 10, 7l behind Norse Dancer (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Grand Passion (IRE) 15-2 (8-12) Chased leaders, lost place over 4f out, ridden when not much room over 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 13l behind Maraahel (9-1) at Chester 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gs.
Big Bad Bob (IRE) 15-2 (8-10) Soon prominent, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 13l behind Norse Dancer (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Blythe Knight (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Dwelt, held up in rear, switched left over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 17, 6l behind Kew Green (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gd.
Colisay 3-1 (8-7) Close up, switched right over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, driven and headed post, 2nd of 7, shd behind Etesaal (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 2f stk (2) gf in Apr.
Etesaal (USA) 9-2 (8-7) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, rallied and led post, won at Newmarket 1m 2f stk (2) gf in Apr beating Colisay (8-7) by a shd, 7 ran.
Leporello (IRE) 3-1fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, effort and pushed along 3f out, no headway final 2f, 7th of 11, 5l behind Passing Glance (9-9) at Epsom 1m 1f Grp 3 (A) gd in Jun.
New Morning (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Led, joined halfway, regained lead approaching straight, headed over 2f out, soon no extra, 6th of 13, 8l behind Monturani (9-3) at Curragh 1m 2f fll stk Grp 2 gd in Sept.
