Verdict

A very strong turnout for this nice prize. Nocturnal Affair won the race a year ago when Balmont Mast was a close third but the latter had the worst of the draw and reversed to form over 6f here three weeks ago. The veteran Borderlescott is still capable of a big run though doesn't have much experience on the surface but fellow UK raider Liber represents a yard who don't tilt at windmills and he's looked very speedy in winning three juvenile events since July. This basically boils down to whether STARSPANGLEDBANNER retains his ability and the evidence is that he does after his narrow defeat by Saturday's Group 2 winner Maarek at the Curragh last month. Aidan O'Brien's dual 2010 Group 1 winner has since run poorly over 7f on heavy ground at Longchamp but is taken to bounce back and gain his first success in over two years.

Formwatch

Borderlescott 33-1 (9-10) 9th of 18, 8l behind Wizz Kid (9-7) at Longchamp(FR) 5f Grp 1 (1) gs.

Balmont Mast (IRE) 7-4fav (9-6) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden in 2nd 1 1/2f out, led under 1f out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Dundalk 6f 3yo stks pol beating Nocturnal Affair (9-12) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.

Katla (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders in 4th, improved to lead travelling well 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed entering final furlong, kept on well to assert close home, won at Curragh 6f Listed stks (1) hvy beating Maarek (9-9) by 1l, 12 ran.

Kingsgate Native (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, soon lost place, last of 9, 12l behind Doc Hay (8-12) at Ascot 5f Listed stks 3yo (1) sft.

Nero Emperor (IRE) 15-2 (9-5) Made all, pushed out to go clear over 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong, easily, won at Dundalk 5f 2yo mdn stks pol in Nov beating Wasabi's House (9-0) by 6l, 14 ran.

Nocturnal Affair (SAF) 4-1 (9-12) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, 6th 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Balmont Mast (9-6) at Dundalk 6f 3yo stks pol.

Oor Jock (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Chased leaders on stands' side, weakened from 2f out, 10th of 14, 17l behind Srucahan (8-12) at Curragh 6f hcp hvy.

Roicead (USA) 20-1 (9-9) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 10th of 12, 7l behind Sole Power (9-9) at Doncaster 5f listed stks (1) gd in Sep.

Starspangledbanner (AUS) 7-1 (9-2) 11th of 12, 22l behind Gordon Lord Byron (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 7f Grp 1 (1) gs.

Experience (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Slowly away, soon mid-division, ridden entering straight, went 5th 1f out, no extra, 5th of 13, 4l behind Balmont Mast (9-6) at Dundalk 6f 3yo stks pol.

Timeless Call (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, always behind, 11th of 12, 9l behind Sole Power (9-9) at Doncaster 5f listed stks (1) gd in Sep.

Liber 16-1 (8-6) In touch, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 21, 4 1/2l behind The Gold Cheongsam (8-1) at Doncaster 6f 2yo aut (2) gd in Sep.

Liberating 7-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong but no impression on first 2, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Sky Lantern (9-0) at Naas 6f 2yo fll Listed stks (1) gf in Jun.

Zoola (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden and headway to lead approaching final furlong, headed towards finish, no extra, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Garswood (9-3) at Ayr 5f Listed stks 2yo (1) hvy in Sep.

Knock Stars (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Took keen hold towards rear, ridden 2f out, no impression, 9th of 12, 9l behind Via Ballycroy (8-9) at Dundalk 7f Fillies Handicap (60-100) (3yo+) pol.

Queen Grace (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Whozthecat (9-2) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sep.

Grey Danube (IRE) 5-1 (9-13) Dwelt, towards rear, headway 2f out, 5th 1 1/2f out, ridden into 2nd 1f out, soon challenged, narrow lead last 100 yards, all out, won at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Sep beating Almadaa (9-12) by shd, 14 ran.