3.55 Tattersalls Gold Cup (Group 1) 1m 2f 110yd

Almaqam: Didn’t quite live up to his defeat of Ombudsman in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown last May but needed cut under foot and ended season with a decent placing to the top notch Calandagan and Ombudsman, just shading Delacroix for third, in the Group 1 Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot. Conditions might be on the fast side for him.

Bay City Roller: Gave Lambourn a good fight on his seasonal return at Chester, beaten a neck. Had a busy three-year-old season with seven runs (five abroad) and ended up by winning the Group 1 Grosser Allianz Preis von Bayern. However, on the balance of his form, would need to find a bit more.

Edward Hamilton: Good effort from the front to be second to Minnie Hauk last time but likely to fulfil the same role here.

Green Impact: A good two-year-old, beating Delacroix in a Leopardstown Group 2 but a Leopardstown listed win was all he could show for a shortened three-year-old season, which came to an end in a Group 2 at York in July, though he did contest the 2000 Guineas in Newmarket and the Irish Derby. Ran better than his final fourth place in a 10-furlong Curragh Group 3 behind Starford, when he made a lot of the running.

Royal Rhyme: Just four runs in the last two seasons and didn’t show a lot behind Lambourn in the Group 2 Huxley Stakes at Chester following a run at the Curragh last month.

Saddadd: In the same ownership and half-brother to Almaqam. Progressive last season with two 10-furlong handicap victories before a third in a Goodwood listed event. Returned to win the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown, coming from the rear to win comfortably. More needed but the Pinatubo colt is progressing and has a fitness advantage over Almaqam.

Tiberius Thunder: Best run at three was a fourth in the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot behind Trinity College but well beaten this year on two outings and six and a half lengths behind Minnie Hauk here last month.

Minnie Hauk: Outstanding three-year-old filly last season, going from the Cheshire Oaks to three Group 1s wins at Epsom, the Curragh and York. Best run was in defeat when just beaten in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe by Daryz, form boosted since by the winner, and she possibly hit the front too soon. Returned in fine style at the Curragh last month and hard to see her beat.

Conclusion:

Minnie Hauk sets the highest standard on her fabulous three-year-old season and her Arc defeat is way ahead of what her rivals have achieved. The two British challengers will keep her honest and on this faster surface, Saddadd might have the most improvement to chase her home.

Though he has yet to win away from Leopardstown, Green Impact has been highly tried and, if coming on from his return last month, could hold out for third.