Verdict

CRACKSMAN, placed in both the English and Irish Derbies last year, won the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October. He’ll need to be somewhere near his best to make a winning reappearance but it’s significant that John Gosden is taking up this option rather than races closer to home. Cloth Of Stars was runner-up to Enable in last year’s Arc and won this last year when it was staged at Saint-Cloud. He’s already run well at Chantilly and Meydan this year and looks a big threat with Wren’s Day in to act as a pacemaker. Andre Fabre also runs Finche but he looks held by late developer Air Pilot on their run together in the Prix d’Harcourt here earlier in the month. Rhododendron is a top-class filly and won the Prix de l’Opera in October before a fine run in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare. She was second in the 1000 Guineas on her reappearance last year so her absence since November is unlikely to be a problem.

Formwatch

Finche (9-3) 6th of 12, 1 3/4l behind Air Pilot (8-13) at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 2 stks sft in Apr.

Air Pilot (8-13) won at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 2 stks sft in Apr beating Royal Julius (8-13) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.

Cloth Of Stars (IRE) 11-4jfav (9-0) 3rd of 10, 3 1/4l behind Hawkbill (9-0) at Meydan 1m 4f Grp 1 gd in Mar.

Wren's Day (USA) (8-12) 3rd of 8, 9l behind Rebellito (8-12) at Le Lion D'angers 1m 2f stks sft in Sep.

Cracksman 13-8fav (9-1) Well placed tracking leaders, 2nd 3f out, led over 2f out, came clear final 2f, stayed on strongly, impressive, won at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Oct beating Poet's Word (9-5) by 7l, 10 ran.

Wild Chief (GER) 40-1 (9-6) last of 9, dist behind Guignol (9-6) at Munich 1m 4f Grp 1 sft in Nov.

Rhododendron (IRE) 11-2 (8-9) Split foes,rail bid, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Wuheida (8-9) at Del Mar 1m 1f gd in Nov.