Storm The Stars, placed in both the Epsom and Irish Derbies, heads the British raiding party. It’s hard to see him improving on his classic form unless stepped up in trip – he’s currently ante-post favourite for the 14 furlong St Leger – so his 7/2 price doesn’t scream value. They don’t hand out Group Ones, and there’s likely to be one better come the finish line.
He’s joined by Royal Ascot winner Balios, who won the Group Two King Edward VII Stakes on just his third start – form that’s since been franked by Mr Singh’s Group Three win at Newmarket. He’s open to plenty of improvement, which will be needed for this step up in class, but you’d want more than the 10/3 available.
Unbeaten in two starts, Andre Fabre’s Ampere heads the betting at 9/4. The Galileo colt beat subsequent Longchamp maiden winner Dialectic on soft ground in April, and was last seen soundly beating French Derby 7th Cape Clear Island in May. I’m not convinced he’s done enough to justify favouritism in a Group One, but he is trained by a master and clearly has class.
Preference is for the outsider Silverwave who can be backed at 12/1. Unbeaten in his first five starts with an average winning distance of four lengths, he ended that run when finishing a seven-length 9th behind New Bay in the French Derby. We’ve already seen War Envoy notch at Royal Ascot when flat last in the same race so we’re giving him another chance. The selection looks overpriced on past form and, with a line through his four length win over Epsom Derby 5th Epicurus, seems closely matched with Storm The Stars except at the prices.
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