Charlie Hills sent out last year’s winner and runs recent Lennox Stakes hero Dutch Connection, who was three lengths ahead of Gifted Master at Goodwood. Richard Fahey won this in 2014 and is represented by Donjuan Triumphant, who landed a Group 2 on a trip to France last year. Mobsta also won a Group 2 for Mick Channon at the Curragh last time and had earlier beaten Suedois in Listed company at Doncaster while Gordon Lord Byron arrives in fine form and was beaten a length in last year’s renewal. Hong Kong-based sprinter GOLD-FUN went close to catching Twilight Son in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee at Ascot in June when ahead of Signs Of Blessing. Soft ground would a slight worry, but he gets the vote to confirm running with the latter and go one better in this. Attendu and Jimmy Two Times may prove best of the home challengers.
Love Spirit (9-1) 2nd of 8, shd behind Damila (8-5) at Maisons-Laffitte 6f Grp 3 stks gd in Jun.
Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Tracked leader in 2nd, driven 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon strongly challenged leader, headway to lead final 150 yards, kept on best, won at Curragh 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jul beating Sovereign Debt (9-9) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Signs Of Blessing (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Raced keenly, led, ridden and strongly pressed well inside final furlong, headed final strides, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 9, 1/4l behind Twilight Son (9-3) at Ascot 6f Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Jun.
Dutch Connection 9-4fav (9-3) Mid-division, switched left and closed over 2f out, drifted right over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final, ran on well, readily, won at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul beating Home Of The Brave (9-3) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Gold-Fun (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, headway tracking leaders halfway, ridden over 1f out, ran on well in closing stages, went 2nd post, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, nk behind Twilight Son (9-3) at Ascot 6f Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Jun.
The Right Man (9-2) 2nd of 10, hd behind Justineo (9-2) at Deauville 5f lst stks gf in Jun.
Suedois (FR) 25-1 (9-6) Prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon headed, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 18, 2l behind Limato (9-6) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jul.
Black Max (FR) (8-12) 2nd of 10, nk behind Ghaaly (8-12) at Saint-Cloud 1m lst stks gd in Jul.
Jimmy Two Times (FR) (8-7) won at Deauville 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Jul beating Jallota (9-1) by 1l, 6 ran.
Donjuan Triumphant (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up and behind, headway near side halfway, chased leaders 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, 9th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Quiet Reflection (9-0) at Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gs in Jun.
Ross Castle (IRE) (8-12) 5th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Damila (8-5) at Maisons-Laffitte 6f Grp 3 stks gd in Jun.
Gifted Master (IRE) 13-2 (8-10) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Dutch Connection (9-3) at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Schang (GER) (8-12) 9th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Bolting (8-12) at Chantilly 7f lst stks gd in May.
Attendu (FR) (8-10) won at Deauville 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Jun beating Esoterique (9-7) by 2l, 5 ran.
Damila (FR) (8-5) won at Maisons-Laffitte 6f Grp 3 stks gd in Jun beating Love Spirit (9-1) by shd, 8 ran.
Mobsta (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Prominent, on terms from 2f out, gained narrow lead final 100yds, stayed on well, all out, won at Curragh 6f Grp 2 stks (1) Yielding - Soft in May beating Flight Risk (9-3) by hd, 7 ran.
