The Antarctic has placed behind stablemate Blackbeard the last twice now including last week’s second in the Middle Park at Newmarket and steps up in trip for this. But SHARTASH beat Blackbeard in a Group 2 contest before showing further progress when third in the Group 1 National Stakes on soft ground at the Curragh. Johnny Murtagh’s colt gets the vote on that form. Pivotal Tiger also represents Ireland but needs to step up on a third in Group 3 company over a mile here last time while Tigrais just got the better of Breizh Sky with Gamestop further behind when landing a Group 3 over track and trip last month.
Breizh Sky (FR) (9-1) 2nd of 6, shd behind Tigrais (8-11) at ParisLongchamp 7f Grp 3 gs in Sep.
Shartash (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along under 2f out, ridden and headway between horses to challenge 150 yards out, 3rd and no impression closing stages, 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Al Riffa (9-5) at Curragh 7f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Sep.
Belbek (FR) (9-4) 5th of 10, 4 3/4l behind The Antarctic (8-13) at Deauville 6f Grp 3 gs in Aug.
Vicious Harry (FR) (8-13) 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Lady Hollywood (8-10) at ParisLongchamp 5f Grp 3 stks gs in Sep.
Gamestop (IRE) (9-1) 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Tigrais (8-11) at ParisLongchamp 7f Grp 3 gs in Sep.
Pivotal Trigger (9-2) 3rd of 6, 1l behind Kubrick (9-2) at ParisLongchamp 1m Grp 3 in Sep.
Tigrais (FR) (8-11) won at ParisLongchamp 7f Grp 3 gs in Sep beating Breizh Sky (9-1) by shd, 6 ran.
The Antarctic (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Slowly away, in rear, in touch, ridden and headway 2f out, went 3rd 1f out, stayed on well, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Blackbeard (9-2) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep.