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(%), Conditions are similar to 12 months ago when
STRADIVARIUS finished a honourable third to Order Of St George and Torcedor. His record since is perfect, winning four of the major staying races. He has clearly improved into a classy performer at this level and over these marathon distances and it will take a good one to lower his colours. His ability to quicken at the end of these races has been the key and the only negative is if the ground becomes too tacky. The obvious threat is Flag Of Honour. He has improved for the step up to a mile and six and comes here on the back of success in the Irish St Leger. There may be more to come but his stamina is unproven and, on breeding, there is a big question mark. )%''
Most of these sprinters have bumped into each other over the season with differing results. The last two winners are back for more. The Tin Man won it two years ago and showed he was at the top of his game when taking the Group One Sprint Cup at Haydock. Harry Angel would be a major player if back to his very best but he disappointed on his latest start. A better bet will be last year’s winner LIBRISA BREEZE. He has hardly set the world alight since his success 12 months ago but what he does have today are his conditions and the trip. Also he has a good record at this venue with three victories from seven outings. Projection needs everything to go right but has the ability and could go well at longer odds. )%+' Aidan O’Brien won this last year and clearly is hoping to double his score with six of the 11 runners, including Hydrangea successful 12 months ago. She may prove the best of that sextet but a chance is taken with French raider
KITESURF. She seems to have hit form at the right time and comes here on a hat-trick after victories at Deauville and notably Longchamp. That was in a Group One where she showed a decisive turn of foot and clocked a fast time. There will be plenty of support for the progressive
Lah Ti Dar and rightly so. She improved again when second in the St Leger and the drop back in trip will be in her favour. *%(,
The free-running Laurens likes to race prominently and with no obvious front-runner may very well get an uncontested lead. She comes here on the back of two Group One victories and may just get the run of the race. She is one for the short list along with French-raider Recoletos.
He has won three of his five outings this year which includes two at the top level. He crucially handles soft ground and showed the right attitude when successful in the Prix du Moulin last month. They will both be serious threats to ROARING LION. He comes here after three victories over two furlongs further and the feeling is that he has the speed and class to overcome the drop in trip. If there is a but, then the testing ground is a slight concern for the John Gosden-trained colt. *%,' If Cracksman repeats his performance of last year then the rest can probably stay at home. His seven-length defeat of Poet’s Word was brilliant but you can hardly say the same this season. His run at the Royal meeting was laboured at best when the ground was against him. When he did have his favoured soft surface he scraped home at Epsom but the course didn’t suit. He will have no excuses today and blinkers are applied but CRYSTAL
OCEAN could have his measure. He was just denied by stablemate Poet’s Word in the King George at this track, over 12 furlongs. On his latest start he had no answer to Enable when trying to give the dual Arc winner 8lb at Kempton. If there are any cracks in the favourite then he will find them. +%*'
It was a case of gamble landed when FLAMING SPEAR ran away with a very competitive Goodwood handicap in August. He then appeared to be given too much to do when fifth behind
Raising Sand, who re-opposes on 6lb worse terms, here over seven furlongs. Today’s extra furlong and with stronger handling, apprentice ridden last time, may see him take his revenge. There is little between the recent Kempton winner Argentello and Via Via after they fought out the finish of a Newmarket handicap in August though the latter is preferred today. He has since finished an excellent third in the Cambridgeshire and the booking of Ryan Moore also takes the eye.