The ground is the key to this contest and if it does get very testing then there has to be a worry that neither Goldikova or Paco Boy will run. They were both below-par on soft ground when placed behind Makfi in the Jacques Le Marois at Deauville last time and while they are brilliant milers at their best, the mare edging out Richard Hannon's charge in a thrilling Queen Anne, it could pay to side with DICK TURPIN. A stablemate of Paco Boy, he is much happier than his stablemate with cut in the ground and has already landed a major prize in France, the Prix Jean Prat, Regal Parade just about holds Joanna on their running in the Prix Maurice de Gheest but has to bounce back from a rare blip in the Haydock Sprint Cup last time. It will be interesting to see Special Duty, awarded both the English and French 1000 Guineas in the spring, back in action. She failed to fire in the Falmouth Stakes back in July but has been given a long time to get over it and it would be no surprise to see her back to her very best here.
Kargali (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Chased leaders on outer, 4th under pressure halfway, weakened from over 1 1/2f out, 9th of 10, 9l behind Bewitched (8-12) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1) sft in Sep.
Regal Parade 9-1 (9-3) Tracked leader far side, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden and lost place, one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 5l behind Markab (9-3) at Haydock 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Sep.
Mariol (FR) 5-1 (8-13) 98th of 11 Swiss Diva (8-11) at Deauville(FR) 6f Grp 3 sft in Aug.
Smooth Operator (GER) 11-2 (9-4) 11th of 12, 13l behind Amico Fritz (9-4) at Baden-Baden(GER) 6f Grp 2 (1) sft in Aug.
Paco Boy (IRE) 10-11fav (9-2) 4th of 6 Fuisse (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
Siyouni (FR) 7-1 (8-11) 3rd of 6 Fuisse (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
Dick Turpin (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) In touch when hampered and became keen after 1f, soon towards rear, effort under pressure 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 5th of 9, 8l behind Rip Van Winkle (9-5) at York 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug.
Goldikova (IRE) 4-6fav (9-1) 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Makfi (8-11) at Deauville(FR) 1m Grp 1 (1) sft in Aug.
Special Duty 3-1 (8-10) Keen early and tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 21l behind Music Show (8-10) at Newmarket 1m flls Grp 1 (1) gf in Jul.
Joanna (IRE) 5-1 (8-8) 2nd of 15, nk behind Regal Parade (9-2) at Deauville(FR) 6f Grp 1 (1) gs in Aug.
