A fascinating renewal of this Group 1 contest. Vazirabad beat Siljan's Saga and Mille Et Mille to win this last year and looks sure to go close again. He was narrowly beaten by Quest For More in the Prix Du Cadran last time and that form gives him the beating of Pallasator. The latter was runner-up in the Lonsdale Cup at York in August and is preferred to Litigant and Montaly though Justice Belle is interesting stepping up in class for Ed Walker having won a Listed event over 2m at Newmarket last month. Quick Jack is a smart handicapper in Ireland while Penglai Pavilion won the Cesarewitch Trial at Newmarket last time and is one of three Godolphin runners. Sky Hunter returned to winning ways for Saeed Bin Suroor in a Listed race at Goodwood on only his second start of the year but has something to prove over 2m, as does ENDLESS TIME. Charlie Appleby’s Lancashire Oaks winner was caught close home by Left Hand over 1m4f in the Group 1 Prix Vermeille at Chantilly last month when ahead of Candarliya and breeding suggests she has every chance of staying today’s distance.
Vazirabad (FR) (9-2) 2nd of 12, shd behind Quest For More (9-2) at Chantilly 2m 4f Grp 1 stks gd in Oct.
Quick Jack (IRE) 5-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, some progress approaching straight and went 8th under 2f out, ridden in 6th over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp gd in Sep beating Pyromaniac (8-8) by nk, 16 ran.
Litigant 20-1 (9-7) Steadied start, took keen hold, held up, in 5th, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Sheikhzayedroad (9-7) at Ascot 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Montaly 11-2 (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on strongly inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 17, hd behind Intense Tango (8-9) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Penglai Pavilion (USA) 11-2 (9-1) Made most, ridden clear 2f out, ran on, eased near finish, won at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp stks (2) gd in Sep beating The Cashel Man (8-11) by 3l, 17 ran.
Sky Hunter 5-2 (9-2) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and ran on, won at Goodwood 1m 2f lst stks (1) gs in Sep beating Tullius (9-5) by 3 1/4l, 5 ran.
Settler's Son (IRE) (9-6) 7th of 10, 3 3/4l behind She Is No Lady (9-1) at Saint-Cloud 1m 6f lst gd in Oct.
Pallasator 7-2 (9-3) Tracked clear winner, closer halfway, ridden inside final 2f, stayed on inside final furlong, found no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Quest For More (9-3) at York 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Mille Et Mille (9-2) 5th of 12, 6 1/4l behind Quest For More (9-2) at Chantilly 2m 4f Grp 1 stks gd in Oct.
Candarliya (FR) (9-3) 5th of 6, 3 1/4l behind Left Hand (8-8) at Chantilly 1m 4f Grp 1 stks gd in Sep.
Siljan's Saga (FR) 100-1 (9-2) 4th of 16, 4l behind Found (9-2) at Chantilly 1m 4f Grp 1 gd in Oct.
Endless Time (IRE) (9-3) 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Left Hand (8-8) at Chantilly 1m 4f Grp 1 stks gd in Sep.
Slatina (IRE) (8-10) won at Saint-Cloud 1m 7f stks gd in Sep beating Murafej (8-13) by 1l, 6 ran.
Justice Belle (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Made all, ridden 2f out, all out, won at Newmarket 2m lst stks (1) gf in Sep beating Seamour (9-3) by ns, 6 ran.
Mambomiss (FR) (9-4) won at Chantilly 1m 4f lst stks gd in Sep beating Pecking Order (9-4) by shd, 11 ran.
