Verdict

The more rain the better for last year’s winner Torquator Tasso, who has Frankie doing the steering this time. Alpinista increased her win streak to seven with victory in the Yorkshire Oaks and she’s won on soft ground in the past but the going is a worry for Japanese challenger and multiple Grade 1 winner Titleholder. Luxembourg has yet to race over this far but won a strong renewal of the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. He beat ONESTO (NAP) and the Eclipse and French Derby winner Vadeni on that occasion but the runner-up has proven form over today’s longer trip having landed the Grand Prix de Paris here in July. The second went on to win the Prix Niel with Do Deuce behind and Fabrice Chappet’s colt is fancied to make a bold bid. Irish Derby winner Westover needs to put a poor effort in the King George behind him though is preferred to Al Hakeem and Mendocino if doing so. Mishriff has plenty to find on this year’s form while stablemate Mostahdaf is upped in class but arrives in fine fettle.

Formwatch

Mishriff (IRE) 7-2 (9-9) Towards rear, 7th after 3f, progress on outer 1 1/2f out, soon ridden, kept on without threatening final furlong to 4th closing stages, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Luxembourg (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Sep.

Torquator Tasso (GER) 8-11 (9-6) Tracked leader, led 3f out, headed 2f out, ridden and kept on, 2nd of 4, hd behind Mendocino (9-6) at Baden-Baden 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gs in Sep.

Mare Australis (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 10 1/2l behind Alpinista (8-12) at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f Grp 1 stks gs in Jul.

Sealiway (FR) 8-11 (9-1) Rear, ridden 2f out, kept on with out catching leaders, 4th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Monty (9-3) at ParisLongchamp 1m 2f Grp 3 gs in Sep.

Alenquer (FR) 8-1 (9-9) Prominent, 3rd halfway, under pressure over 2f out, lost place 1 1/2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 6 1/4l behind Luxembourg (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Sep.

Deep Bond (JPN) 9-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on, 4th of 17, shd behind Titleholder (9-2) at Hanshin 1m 3f gf in Jun.

Broome (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Dwelt, raced in touch, soon tracked leader in 2nd, under pressure and lost place 1 1/2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong, last of 7, 6 1/4l behind Luxembourg (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Sep.

Stay Foolish (JPN) 2-1 (9-6) Led, headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Botanik (9-4) at Deauville 1m 4f Grp 2 stks gd in Aug.

Mostahdaf (IRE) 6-1 (9-10) Slowly into stride, soon held up in touch, closed 3f out, led over 2f out, edged right, clear 1f out, easily, won at Kempton 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Sep beating Dubai Honour (9-7) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.

Mendocino (GER) 6-1 (9-6) Held up, headway from 2f out, ran on to lead near liine, won at Baden-Baden 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gs in Sep beating Torquator Tasso (9-6) by hd, 4 ran.

Titleholder (JPN) 3-1 (9-2) Always handy, ridden to lead 2f out, stayed on final furlong, won at Hanshin 1m 3f gf in Jun beating Hishi Iguazu (9-2) by shd, 17 ran.

Bubble Gift (FR) 7-4 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden from 2f out, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Iresine (9-2) at ParisLongchamp 1m 4f Grp 2 stks sft in Sep.

Grand Glory 4-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, made some late headway, 7th of 11, 4l behind Sweet Lady (9-4) at ParisLongchamp 1m 4f Grp 1 stks sft in Sep.

Alpinista 7-4fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, shaken up over 2f out, ridden to lead going best over 1f out, kept on well, won at York 1m 4f Grp 1 fll (1) gd in Aug beating Tuesday (9-0) by 1l, 7 ran.

Vadeni (FR) 7-4fav (9-3) Soon rear of mid-division, 6th halfway, progress and ridden over 1f out, soon switched left, kept on in 3rd final 100 yards, not trouble leaders, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Luxembourg (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Sep.

Al Hakeem 10-11 (9-2) Mid-division, headway to lead 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, won at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 2 stks (1) gs in Aug beating Junko (9-2) by 1/2l, 6 ran.

Onesto (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Dwelt slightly, raced in rear, 6th after 3f, progress to 4th halfway, headway to 2nd 1 1/2f out, improved to lead narrowly 1f out, kept on, headed final 50 yards, not match winner, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Luxembourg (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Sep.

Westover 13-8fav (8-12) Wore hood to post, raced keenly, prominent out wide, led 9f out, headed turning in, weakened 2f out, 5th of 6, 18l behind Pyledriver (9-9) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jul.

Do Deuce (JPN) 7-4 (9-2) Held up, steady headway from 2f out, kept on, 4th of 7, 3 3/4l behind Simca Mille (9-2) at ParisLongchamp 1m 4f Grp 2 stks sft in Sep.

Luxembourg (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) In touch, soon mid-division, 5th halfway, headway under 2f out, closed over 1f out, ridden and kept on well 1f out to lead final 50 yards, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Sep beating Onesto (9-3) by 1/2l, 7 ran.