The going is the key to this as it was very soft when Workforce beat Nakayama Festa and the unlucky in-running SARAFINA a year ago and it will be much quicker this time. The placed horses are more likely to be suited by the conditions and it's Sarafina, though not ideally drawn, who gets the vote as she has had her whole season geared to making amends. Hiruno D'Amour will love the going as will So You Think but the latter is relatively untested over the trip and is another poorly berthed. He's no certainty to beat stablemate Treasure Beach as the Irish Derby and Arlington Million winner wasn't at his best when beaten by Meandre in the Grand Prix De Paris here. That winner has since been beaten by Reliable Man in the Prix Niel and that race has proved the best Arc guide in recent years. Snow Fairy will love the ground and connections have stumped up a fortune to supplement St Leger winner Masked Marvel. There are some recent formlines that suggest Galikova will take some beating and Freddie Head's filly is improving so fast that she could provide the main threat to Sarafina.
Workforce 6-5fav (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, chasing winner when hung badly left entering final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Nathaniel (8-9) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gs in Jul.
St Nicholas Abbey (IRE) 10-3 (9-2) Raced in third, pressed leader under pressure over 2f out, kept on, 3rd of 4 Sarafina (8-12) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep.
Silver Pond (FR) 9-2 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase clear winner over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Cirrus Des Aigles (9-6) at Deauville(FR) 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) sft in Aug.
Hiruno D'Amour (JPN) 9-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden and outpaced 2f out, ran on strongly to lead inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 4 Sarafina (8-12) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep.
Nakayama Festa (JPN) 6-1 (9-2) Led, clear over 2f out, headed over 1f out, not quicken final furlong, last of 4 Sarafina (8-12) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep.
So You Think (NZ) 1-4fav (9-7) Chased leader in moderate 2nd, improved to lead 2f out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, maintained lead and kept on well from 1 1/2f out, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep beating Snow Fairy (9-4) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Sarafina (FR) 4-6fav (8-12) Held up in rear, headway well over 1f out, challenged between horses final furlong, just got up, won at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep, 4 ran.
Snow Fairy (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Chased leaders in 3rd, went 2nd and ridden 2f out, soon strongly pressed winner, kept on well from 1 1/2f out without reaching winner, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind So You Think (9-7) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
Treasure Beach 6-4fav (8-11) Stalked foe, steady bid, won at Arlington(USA) 1m 2f 3yo stk (1) fm in Aug beating Ziyarid (8-7) by nk, 10 ran.
Meandre (FR) Evensfav (9-2) Raced keenly in rear, effort on outside 2f out, ran on to take second final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Reliable Man (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep.
Masked Marvel 15-2 (9-0) Held up in 5th, headway 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven clear inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Doncaster 1m 7f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Sep beating Brown Panther (9-0) by 3l, 9 ran.
Reliable Man 5-2 (9-2) Settled in third, effort to take lead over 1f out, led 1f out, ran on well final furlong, won at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep beating Meandre (9-2) by 2l, 6 ran.
Shareta (IRE) 9-2 (8-8) Led, ridden and clear 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Galikova (8-8) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
Testosterone (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Raced in midfield, ridden over 2f out, squeezed for room over 1f out, ridden and took 2nd close home, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Galikova (8-8) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
Danedream (GER) (8-7) won at Baden-Baden(GER) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) sft in Sep beating Night Magic (9-2) by 6l, 6 ran.
Galikova (FR) 5-6fav (8-8) Prominent early, restrained into midfield, ridden 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, cosily, won at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep beating Testosterone (8-8) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
