The French have kept this prize at home since 2007 when Aidan O'Brien tasted success but Ol' Man River has some improving to do to get the better of a couple of Arc contenders in Erupt and NEW BAY. The former landed his first Group 1 over track and trip in July but collateral form suggests Andre Fabre's colt is the stronger of the pair having won the French Derby at Chantilly before scoring cosily at Deauville last time. The unbeaten Ming Dynasty beat Migwar to win a Listed event last month while Silverwave has plenty to find with both New Bay and Erupt.
Countermeasure (9-2) 9th of 10, 12 1/2l behind Blue Kimono (8-12) at Longchamp 1m 2f stks sft in Aug.
New Bay 10-11fav (9-2) won at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 2 stks (1) sft in Aug beating Dariyan (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Migwar (IRE) (8-11) 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Ming Dynasty (8-11) at Clairefontaine 1m 4f lst stks (1) hvy in Aug.
Silverwave (FR) 12-1 (9-2) 4th of 6, 3 1/4l behind Erupt (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 4f Grp 1 stks gd in Jul.
Ol' Man River (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Close up, effort 2f out, no impression final furlong, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Balios (9-0) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Erupt (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) won at Longchamp 1m 4f Grp 1 stks gd in Jul beating Ampere (9-2) by 2l, 6 ran.
Ming Dynasty (FR) (8-11) won at Clairefontaine 1m 4f lst stks (1) hvy in Aug beating Migwar (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
