This looks really tricky given there was little between the winner Valirann, Lucky Look and Montclair when they claimed the first three places in a Group 3 over track and trip last month. The latter is slightly better off at the weights but today's outcome is more likely to be decided by who gets the clearest run. Christophe Lemaire hands over riding duties for the Aga Khan to Soumillon next year, but presumably still has first choice of the owner's horses and the jockey has plumped for DARBADAR in this. The winner of a conditions race at Chantilly in August without being asked a serious question, there should be lots more to come from him and he gets the vote. Green Byron and Arkhip have plenty to find with Valirann while Hughie Morrison's Nearly Caught and the German raider Saratino will both need to improve to figure.
Valirann (FR) 7-2 (8-9) won at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep beating Lucky Look (8-6) by shd, 7 ran.
Darbadar (FR) (8-10) won at Chantilly(FR) 1m 4f 3yo stk gd in Aug beating Paan (8-10) by 3l, 6 ran.
Arkhip 10-1 (8-13) won at Fontainebleau(FR) 1m 7f 3yo stk sft in Aug beating West Of Venus (8-10) by hd, 8 ran.
Green Byron (FR) 20-1 (8-9) last of 7, 10l behind Valirann (8-9) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
Montclair (IRE) 5-4fav (8-11) 3rd of 7, hd behind Valirann (8-9) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
Nearly Caught (IRE) 3-1fav (8-8) Tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon edged right, continued to edge right until finished stand side, ran on, won at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp (2) gs in Sep beating Alwilda (8-2) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Saratino (GER) (8-9) 2nd of 7, shd behind Hey Little Gorl (8-5) at Dortmund(GER) 1m 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
Lucky Look (FR) 7-1 (8-6) 2nd of 7, shd behind Valirann (8-9) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
