Aidan O’Brien bids to repeat last year’s success in this and sends over Warm Heart, a dual Group 1 winner over 1m4f though she’s won over this shorter trip in the past. A five-time Group 1 winner over a mile, INSPIRAL should have no problem with this longer distance as the race starts on a downhill chute leading to the main Turf track. She’s looked better than ever notching-up a recent double and gets the vote. Lumiere Rock finished in front of State Occasion when placed in last month’s Prix de l’Opera but With The Moonlight has found both Fev Rover and In Italian too good already this year and the latter pair look best of the home challenge.
In Italian 9-20fav (8-12) Pace ins,clr 1/8,missd, 2nd of 8, hd behind Gina Romantica (8-12) at Keeneland 1m stks gd in Oct.
Warm Heart (IRE) 11-4 (8-11) Stumbled at start, always prominent, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at ParisLongchamp 1m 4f Grp 1 fll sft in Sep beating Melo Melo (9-5) by shd, 8 ran.
With The Moonlight (IRE) 13-5 (8-12) 3-5w, second best, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Fev Rover (8-12) at Woodbine 1m 2f stks gd in Oct.
Moira (USA) 6-4fav (8-12) Fanned 6w,evened out, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Fev Rover (8-12) at Woodbine 1m 2f stks gd in Oct.
Win Marilyn (JPN) 28-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden from 3f out, stayed on one pace, 9th of 15, 5 1/4l behind Rousham Park (9-0) at Nakayama 1m 3f gf in Sep.
Inspiral 10-11fav (9-5) Mid-division, closed 6f out, switched right over 3f out, led over 2f out, quickened clear over 1f out, eased well inside final furlong, won at Newmarket 1m Grp 1 fll stks (1) gf in Oct beating Mqse De Sevigne (9-5) by 3 3/4l, 8 ran.
Lindy (FR) 11-2 (8-9) 3p-ins,4w1/8,late kick, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Mawj (8-9) at Keeneland 1m 1f fll gd in Oct.
Fev Rover (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Switched out,rebid 1/4, won at Woodbine 1m 2f stks gd in Oct beating With The Moonlight (8-12) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Didia (ARG) 11-10fav (8-12) Settled2w,bid3w,clear, won at Santa Anita 1m 2f stks gd in Oct beating Anisette (8-10) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Mckulick 2-5fav (9-0) Tracked 2p, edged away, won at Belmont At The Big A 1m 3f stks fst in Oct beating Idea Generation (8-6) by shd, 8 ran.
Lumiere Rock (IRE) 13-2 (8-11) Led, headed 2f out, ridden and kept on, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Blue Rose Cen (8-11) at ParisLongchamp 1m 2f Grp 1 fll gs in Oct.
State Occasion 28-1 (9-2) Mid-division, kept on final furlong, 5th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Blue Rose Cen (8-11) at ParisLongchamp 1m 2f Grp 1 fll gs in Oct.