Mark Johnston last won this in 2003 with Darasim and runs Ascot's Queen Alexandra winner Oriental Fox, a runner-up at Deauville last month ahead of previous Group 2 winner Walzertakt. He has a shout while most of the home challengers are old foes and hard to separate with Mille Et Mille beating Kicky Blue, Fly With Me and A Soldier's Life over today's trip in Listed company last month. But outside of that line of form BILLABONG makes most appeal for Pascal Bary as he steps up in trip after a couple of placed efforts in Group company and may well prove good enough.
Walzertakt (GER) 5-1fav (9-6) 3rd of 6, 5l behind Alex My Boy (9-4) at Deauville 1m 7f Grp 2 sft in Aug.
Vif Monsieur (GER) (9-2) won at Cologne 1m 3f lst stks (1) sft in Apr beating Nicolosio (8-11) by ns, 6 ran.
Fly With Me (FR) (9-4) 5th of 9, 8 1/4l behind Mille Et Mille (9-4) at Maisons-Laffitte 1m 7f lst stks gd in Jul.
Oriental Fox (GER) 5-1fav (9-4) 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Alex My Boy (9-4) at Deauville 1m 7f Grp 2 sft in Aug.
Billabong (MOR) 11-2 (9-9) 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Loresho (9-5) at Deauville 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Mille Et Mille (9-4) won at Maisons-Laffitte 1m 7f lst stks gd in Jul beating Trip To Rhodos (8-11) by shd, 9 ran.
Oratory Davis (FR) (8-11) 6th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Fly With Me (9-1) at Chantilly 1m 7f lst stks gs in Jun.
Green Byron (FR) 8-1 (8-12) won at Saint-Cloud 1m 7f stks gd in May beating Sant'alberto (8-12) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
A Soldier's Life (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) 2nd of 6, 2l behind Zack Hope (9-2) at Clairefontaine 1m 6f stks gs in Aug.
Satanicjim (IRE) (9-3) 6th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Bernay (9-9) at Craon 1m 4f lst stks gs in Sep.
Kicky Blue (GER) 11-2 (8-9) 4th of 6, 6 1/4l behind Zack Hope (9-2) at Clairefontaine 1m 6f stks gs in Aug.
