Verdict

So You Think's defection and subsequent retirement has robbed this Group 1 of a little gloss but it now looks a lot more open. Farhh is likely to start favourite now on the back of a remarkable run behind So You Think in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes where he reared as the stalls opened and was hampered on entering the straight but finished fastest of all to take third. That was his first run in a Group race and first try over 1m2f so it was a fine effort and he'll take some stopping with more luck in-running here. Godolphin are also represented by City Style and Monterosso, who are decent performers in their own right, while Twice Over tries to repeat his victory of 2010 and has every chance if back to his best. Last year's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Nathaniel is another top-class candidate, even though he hasn't had a run this year, while Bonfire was sixth in the Epsom Derby and won the Dante over this trip earlier. Cityscape had City Style back in third when winning the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free in March but it's just possible that CRACKERJACK KING has been underestimated. He's joined Marco Botti since beating the normally consistent Sri Putra more than 10 lengths when easily landing a Group 1 at Capannelle in May. Last year's German Derby winner Waldpark was also well beaten so the form has a solid look about it and he should start at decent odds in this company.

Formwatch

Cityscape (9-0) 10th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Xtension (9-0) at Sha Tin(HK) 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in May.

City Style (USA) 33-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, soon held up towards rear, not much room inside final 2f, switched left and kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 5l behind So You Think (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.

Crackerjack King (IRE) (9-1) won at Capannelle(ITY) 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in May beating Afsare (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.

Farhh 6-1 (9-0) Started very slowly, not much room on inside well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, closing on 2nd near finish, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind So You Think (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.

Monterosso 20-1 (9-0) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Mar beating Capponi (9-0) by 3l, 13 ran.

Nathaniel (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Pressed leader until led 3f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, kept on, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Cirrus Des Aigles (9-3) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.

Sri Putra 66-1 (9-0) Held up in mid-division on outside, driven and headway over 1f out, plugged on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind So You Think (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.

Twice Over 6-4fav (9-0) In touch, went 3rd halfway, ridden over 3f out, soon edged right, plugged on one pace, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Colombian (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) hvy in Apr.

Bonfire 9-2 (9-0) Taken to start with pony, took keen hold, soon in 4th, headway to chase leading pair over 3f out, ridden and hung left over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 14l behind Camelot (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.

Cogito (USA) 22-1 (9-0) In rear, ridden 4f outr, badly hampered entering final 3f, ran on final furlong, 8th of 16, 6l behind Most Improved (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.