A tactical race in store which should suit BLEK. Ellie Lelouche's grey acts on testing ground and was impressive when winning here in July. With a similarly small field and conditions to suit he might provide jockey Anthony Crastus with his first Group One winner. Askar Tau represents the UK but his record this year is hardly strong and he has to improve on ground likely to be too soft, so a bigger threat might be Los Cristianos who chased home Blek in July. Kasbah Bliss is a nice old boy and the eight-year-old has the talent to win this despite being a beaten favourite on four of his last six starts. Of the rest Gentoo makes most appeal and this strong-stayer should relish a slog in the mud.
Askar Tau (FR) 12-1 (9-1) With leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 16l behind Samuel (9-1) at Doncaster 2m 2f Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep.
Los Cristianos (FR) 10-1 (9-4) 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Americain (9-4) at Deauville(FR) 1m 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Blek (FR) 9-4fav (9-6) 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Americain (9-4) at Deauville(FR) 1m 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Kasbah Bliss (FR) 11-8fav (9-2) 5th of 8, 3l behind Gentoo (8-11) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f Grp 3 (1) sft in Sep.
Brusco (9-6) 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Val Mondo (8-9) at Dortmund(GER) 1m 6f Grp 3 gd in Sep.
Shawnee Saga (FR) 11-10fav (8-11) won at Clairefontaine(FR) 1m 6f stks sft in Aug beating Salomo (9-2) by 1l, 9 ran.
Gentoo (FR) 20-1 (8-11) won at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f Grp 3 (1) sft in Sep beating Watar (8-11) by 2l, 8 ran.
Winter Dream (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) last of 8, 6l behind Gentoo (8-11) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f Grp 3 (1) sft in Sep.
