Verdict

ARTORIUS had to be switched for a clear run when beaten less than a length in this last year. A subsequent Group 1 winner back home in Australia, he can confirm last year’s running with Highfield Princess. The latter came up short when sent off favourite for the King’s Stand here earlier in the week while Sacred, Kinross, Run To Freedom and Emaraaty Ana all finished behind the selection in last season’s renewal. Wellington won at the highest level in Hong Kong in December and is reacquainted with Ryan Moore while the dual Wokingham winner Rohaan beat Al Suhail in a Group 3 contest here last autumn and the latter also finished behind second-placed The Astrologist in a Group 1 sprint at Meydan in March.

Formwatch

Khaadem (IRE)12-1 (9-7) Wore hood to post, steaied start, held up and behind, pushed along and headway out wide over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Run To Freedom (9-7) at Salisbury 6f lst stks (1) gf in May.

Sacred13-8fav (9-6) Held up, keen early, going well but still plenty to do when went wide on home turn, pushed along entering final furlong, kept on well to lead just inside final 110 yards, soon clear, comfortable, won at Lingfield 7f Grp 3 fll stks (1) pol in May beating Sandrine (9-6) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.

Highfield Princess (FR)7-4fav (9-4) Tracked leaders far side, ridden to press winner from 2f out, carried left inside final furlong, hampered close home, 2nd of 17, 1l behind Bradsell (9-1) at Ascot 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Jun.

Artorius (AUS)(9-3) 6th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Highfield Princess (9-1) at Deauville 6f Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Aug.

The Astrologist (AUS)3-1 (9-5) Soon led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, just held on to 2nd, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Jumby (9-2) at Haydock 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jun.

Al Suhail11-4 (9-5) Prominent, led 1f out, caught before line, 3rd of 15, 1/4l behind Danyah (9-5) at Meydan 6f Grp 1 fst in Mar.

Kinross9-1 (9-0) Bmpd btw st,9wd btw1/8, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind Modern Games (8-11) at Keeneland 1m gd in Nov.

Coeur De Pierre (FR)7-1 (9-5) Mid-division, hampered when making ground 2f out, kept on, 9th of 12, 5 1/4l behind Game Run (9-5) at Chantilly 5f Grp 2 gd in Jun.

Run To Freedom13-2 (9-7) Raced keenly, held up towards rear, strong run between horses inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Salisbury 6f lst stks (1) gf in May beating Marbaan (8-12) by hd, 9 ran.

Wellington (AUS)5-1 (9-0) 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Lucky Sweynesse (9-0) at Sha Tin 6f gd in Apr.

Emaraaty Ana18-1 (9-10) Close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 16 1/2l behind Azure Blue (9-7) at York 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in May.

Art Power (IRE)2-1jfav (9-5) Disputed lead early, led after 1f and made rest, clear and pushed along under 2f out, ridden and stayed on strongly final furlong, easily, won at Curragh 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in May beating Big Gossey (9-5) by 4 3/4l, 8 ran.

Big Invasion (USA)17-4 (8-10) 2-3p trn,4p1/4,rallied, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Caravel (8-9) at Belmont Park 6f stks gd in Jun.

Sandrine13-8fav (9-2) Mid-division, good headway out wide over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not quite enough pace to challenge, 5th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Run To Freedom (9-7) at Salisbury 6f lst stks (1) gf in May.

Rohaan (IRE)6-1 (9-12) Steadied start, held up in rear, never involved, 8th of 9, 8 1/4l behind Run To Freedom (9-7) at Salisbury 6f lst stks (1) gf in May.

Cannonball (AUS)28-1 (9-7) Led near side trio, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, soon weakened, last of 17, 10 3/4l behind Bradsell (9-1) at Ascot 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Jun.