Solid Oak

Having met with a first defeat over extended trips in the G1 Prix du Cadran, His Highness The Aga Khan's Vazirabad (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}) looks to regain the thread as he defends his crown in the G1 Prix Royal-Oak at Saint-Cloud on Sunday. Successful by a length from Siljan's Saga (Fr) (Sagamix {Fr}) 12 months ago, the homebred had carried an air of invincibility as a stayer until losing out by a short neck to Quest For More (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the “French Gold Cup” over a trip of 2 1/2 miles that may have stretched him at Chantilly at the start of the month.

Siljan's Saga arrives here in arguably better form than last year, having finished four-lengths fourth and best of the non Aidan O'Brien-trained contingent in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe also at Chantilly Oct. 2. She has not been beaten more than seven lengths in each of her three attempts at the country's biggest race and her record at this course reads well, with two wins including the 2014 G2 Prix Corrida over 10 1/2 furlongs backed up by three placings in Group 1 company, with her latest being a third in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud July 3.

Godolphin have three engaged, with the Listed Foundation S. winner Sky Hunter (GB) (Motivator {GB}) looking the main chance after displaying his well being in that 10-furlong Goodwood contest Sept. 21. It was on this weekend two years ago that the seldom-seen bay captured the G3 St Simon S. by nine lengths and trainer Saeed bin Suroor is hoping he can gain an overdue top-level success. “Sky Hunter won well at Goodwood and came out of the race in good order,” he said. “We would like to see some rain for him, as soft ground will help him and I don't think that this distance will be a problem.”

This year's G2 Lancashire Oaks winner Endless Time (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) was a half-length second to Left Hand (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Prix Vermeille over 12 furlongs at Chantilly Sept. 11 and trainer Charlie Appleby commented, “I was very pleased with Endless Time's second in the Vermeille and the third that day [The Juliet Rose {Fr} has come out and won a Group 2 race since. We are looking forward to seeing how she gets on over this trip and the ground conditions should suit. She should stay the distance on breeding and has shaped like she will get it.”

One who could spring a surprise is Robert Ng's Justice Belle (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), a filly unexposed over staying trips who enters the autumn in peak form, having won the Listed Jockey Club Rose Bowl over two miles at Newmarket Sept. 22. “It's a big step up, but she's a stakes winner now which is huge for a well-bred filly like her,” trainer Ed Walker said. “She's improving, the ground will suit and she goes there as fresh as paint, which counts for a lot at this time of year. If Sunday proves she's not up to this level, I suspect that will be the end of her racing career and she'll be retired to the paddocks.”