Aidan O'Brien won this in 2009 with Jan Vermeer and looks to have leading claims with JOHANNES VERMEER in this year's renewal. The latter found only Marcel too good in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last week and finished ahead of Attendu and No Education at Longchamp before that. Richard Fahey's Donjuan Triumphant won a Group 2 at Maisons-Laffitte last month and steps up in trip while the unbeaten Almanzor leads the challenge of the home team having won a Listed event on his latest start. Tashweeq will need to step up on his fourth in the Dewhurst last time to get involved.
Scrutineer (IRE) 10-11fav (9-1) Close up, switched left over 2f out, shaken up to lead entering final furlong, ran on, comfortable, won at Doncaster 7f (3) gs in Oct beating General Alexander (8-13) by 6l, 6 ran.
Tashweeq (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, headway in centre over 1f out, kept on at one pace inside final furlong, almost snatched 3rd, 4th of 7, 6l behind Air Force Blue (9-1) at Newmarket 7f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Oct.
Almanzor (FR) (8-11) won at Bordeaux Le Bouscat 1m (1) gs in Oct beating Camp Courage (8-11) by 3l, 6 ran.
No Education 66-1 (8-13) 9th of 11, 3 1/4l behind Ultra (8-13) at Longchamp 1m Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
Donjuan Triumphant (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) won at Maisons-Laffitte 6f Grp 2 stks (1) sft in Oct beating Dressed In Fur (8-12) by 5 1/2l, 7 ran.
Stormy Antarctic 9-2fav (9-1) Keen early held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newbury 1m stks (2) sft in Sep beating Special Season (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Johannes Vermeer (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Raced wide close up, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Marcel (9-1) at Doncaster 1m Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
Attendu (FR) 12-1 (8-13) 8th of 11, 3 1/4l behind Ultra (8-13) at Longchamp 1m Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
