Verdict

TWICE OVER, runner-up to Rip Van Winkle in the Juddmonte here last year, had a very rare off-day in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Ascot and should bounce back. Henry Cecil's charge has a Group 1 penalty for his second Champion Stakes victory but at his best would be impossible to oppose. The three-year-old Dominant looked exactly that when landing the Tattersalls Millions 3-y-o Cup at Newmarket and though facing a big step-up in grade deserves his chance. Class Is Class is a genuine Listed performer as he showed when easily accounting for Tazeez at Sandown but wouldn't be in the same category at Twice Over at his best. His trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, also runs the filly Eleanora Duse who won at this level in Ireland on soft ground last season.

Formwatch

Twice Over 14-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked leading trio, went 3rd over 3f out, hung right and weakened inside final 2f, 5th of 7, 17l behind Rewilding (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.

Class Is Class (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Sweating and edgy, took keen hold, tracked leading pair, tracked leader over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, driven out, won at Sandown 1m 2f Listed stks 3yo (1) gd beating Tazeez (9-5) by 4l, 11 ran.

Ransom Note 50-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, hard driven 3f out, soon faded, 5th of 7, 11l behind Canford Cliffs (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.

Saptapadi (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, effort over 2f out, not much room and switched left over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, nearest at finish, 5th of 19, 6l behind Green Destiny (8-10) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gd.

Tazeez (USA) 10-3fav (9-5) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no chance with winner inside final furlong, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Class Is Class (9-5) at Sandown 1m 2f Listed stks 3yo (1) gd.

Eleanora Duse (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Not much room soon after start, held up in touch in rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 2l behind Gertrude Bell (9-5) at Haydock 1m 4f Grp 2 flls (1) gf.

Dominant (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven clear, ran on well, won at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo aut stk (2) gs in Jun beating Malthouse (9-3) by 5l, 12 ran.