With the exception of a brilliant hat-trick for Goldikova, the home team have had plenty of winners in recent years and there's lots of confidence behind Wise Dan for this year's renewal. He's won three Grade 1 Turf races this season in fine style and is certainly a leading contender but has never come up against the likes of EXCELEBRATION. Only Frankel has prevented Aidan O'Brien's colt from winning his last eight races and he looked better than ever when landing the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth at Ascot last month. He also beat Moonlight Cloud at Deauville earlier in the year and she's high-class filly in her own right winning the Prix Du Moulin last time. The American's have another smart miler in dual Grade 2 winner Obviously while last year's Kentucky Derby hero, Animal Kingdom, is an intriguing runner on his first start since February.
Mr. Commons (USA) 6-4 (8-9) Drifted out bit lane, 3rd of 5, 1l behind Obviously (8-12) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m Grp 2 fm in Oct.
Wise Dan (USA) 3-5fav (9-0) Sweeping move, cleared, won at Keeneland(USA) 1m Grp 1 (1) fm in Oct beating Willcox Inn (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Obviously (IRE) 6-5fav (8-12) Inside, held gamely, won at Santa Anita(USA) 1m Grp 2 fm in Oct beating Trailblazer (8-9) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Jeranimo (USA) 14-5 (8-11) Came out 1/8,best rest, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Obviously (8-6) at Del Mar(USA) 1m Grp 2 fm in Aug.
Animal Kingdom (USA) 3-5fav (8-7) 3 wide bid, ridden out, won at Gulfstream(USA) 1m clm stks fm in Feb beating Monument Hill (8-9) by 2l, 6 ran.
Excelebration (IRE) 10-11fav (9-3) Took keen hold tracking leaders on rail, not clear run briefly over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, went 2nd approaching final furlong, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, soon quickened clear, impressive, won at Ascot 1m Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct beating Cityscape (9-3) by 3l, 8 ran.
Willcox Inn (USA) 45-1 (9-0) Came 5 w, gaining, 2nd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Wise Dan (9-0) at Keeneland(USA) 1m Grp 1 (1) fm in Oct.
Suggestive Boy (ARG) 11-1 (8-9) Tight early,no rally, 5th of 9, 11l behind Game On Dude (8-12) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 1f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Sep.
Moonlight Cloud 10-11fav (8-12) won at Longchamp(FR) 1m Grp 1 (1) gs in Sep beating Farhh (9-2) by hd, 4 ran.
