Cirrus Des Aigles has won two of the last three renewals including last year's running but hasn't looked the same horse so far this season. He beat Smoking Gun in a Group 3 at Maisons-Laffitte last month but will need to be at his very best to get the better of Planteur. A repeat of the latter's second to Maxios in the Prix D'Isphan back in May would see Marco Botti's charge take all the beating though STELLAR WIND may prove better value. The Japanese challenger found the 1m4f of the Prix Foy beyond him in soft ground here last time when fifth to Arc favourite Orfevre on his first start since June. But, with improvement expected, he can come out best today. Mandour is preferred to UK raiders Noble Mission and Fattsota, but Mark Johnston's Maputo is still improving and there may also be more to come from Buckwheat.
Noble Mission 6-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, edged left and effort entering final furlong, kept on well towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind David Livingston (9-3) at Haydock 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug.
Mandour (USA) 7-1 (9-2) last of 9, 7l behind Orfevre (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) sft in Sep.
Planteur (IRE) 1-2fav (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led over 6f out, hard driven over 1f out, hung left under pressure inside final furlong, all out, won at Windsor 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) sft in Aug beating Al Waab (8-6) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Cirrus Des Aigles (FR) (8-13) won at Maisons-Laffitte(FR) 1m 2f Grp 3 gs in Sep beating Vally Jem (8-10) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Stellar Wind (JPN) 12-1 (9-2) 5th of 9, 5l behind Orfevre (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) sft in Sep.
Fattsota 16-1 (9-3) Led at good pace and soon clear, reduced lead over 3f out, ridden and headed inside final 3f, stayed chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 6l behind Camborne (9-3) at Newbury 1m 3f Grp 3 (1) sft in Sep.
Smoking Sun (USA) (8-13) 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Cirrus Des Aigles (8-13) at Maisons-Laffitte(FR) 1m 2f Grp 3 gs in Sep.
Petit Chevalier (FR) (9-2) 3rd of 7, 1l behind Polish Vulcano (8-11) at Baden-Baden(GER) 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
Maputo 5-4fav (9-0) Broke well and tracked leader in 2nd, headway to lead 2f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug beating Caponata (9-6) by 1l, 5 ran.
Al Waab (IRE) 6-1 (8-6) Raced freely chasing leaders, effort over 2f out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Planteur (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) sft in Aug.
Buckwheat 16-1 (9-2) 6th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Vancouverite (9-2) at Deauville(FR) 1m 2f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Willie The Whipper 6-1 (8-8) Dwelt, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Sharestan (9-0) at Ayr 1m 2f Listed stks 3yo (1) gs in Sep.
Superplex (FR) (8-11) 11th of 12, 15l behind Samba Brazil (8-11) at Munich(GER) 1m Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
