Joshua Tree won this in 2010 for Aidan O'Brien and last year for Marco Botti. He also finished runner-up in 2011 and it will be an extraordinary feat if he can lift this prize for three different trainers as he's now in the care of Ed Dunlop. He's not easily overlooked but the progressive Forte Dei Marmi, a smart handicapper for Luca Cumani, won his first Grade 1 over track and trip for local trainer Roger Attfield last month and is the one to beat on that form. However, the vote goes to SLUMBER, another formerly trained in the UK. A Listed winner for Charlie Hills, he finished a close-up fourth to Breeders' Cup hero Little Mike in a Grade 1 at Belmont last time and legendary American trainer Bill Mott will have him spot on for only his third start of the year. Hyper could also figure in what looks a terrific renewal.
