By Sean Cronin
Sunday's G1 Grosser Allianz Preis von Bayern, the final Group 1 event of the season in Europe, has attracted a field of 11. The 12-furlong heat marks the return of Charlie Appleby trainee Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), who comes back off a win in July's G3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket. Last term's G1 Futurity Trophy hero finished a well-beaten eighth in Epsom's G1 Derby in his penultimate start.
“We had this race pencilled in for Ancient Wisdom for some time, hoping that the ground would be on the soft side,” said Appleby. “It's a very competitive event and we are coming up against some solid older horses, so he needs to step forward from his Bahrain Trophy win. The ground is the key with him and he stays a mile-and-a-half well. He looks great and I can't fault his preparation.”
The four-strong British raiding party also features G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares third Tiffany (Ire) (Farhh {GB}), G1 Oaks third War Chimes (Summer Front) and the latter's David Menuisier-trained stablemate Panthera (Fr) (Cracksman {GB}).
Last year's winning stable of Andre Fabre is represented by Godolphin's multiple Group 2-placed Marquisat (Ire) (Zarak {Fr}). “Marquisat is a consistent horse who has never disappointed us throughout his career,” commented Godolphin's Louise Benard. “This end-of-season Group 1 fits well in his season and he should perform well.”
The home defence includes last year's runner-up Assistent (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), the dual Group 1-placed G2 Gran Premio del Jockey Club victor Straight (Ger) (Zarak {Fr}), this term's G2 Grand Prix de Deauville victrix Quantanamera (Ger) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), July's G1 Deutsches Derby third Augustus (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) and Gestut Ittlingen's ultra-consistent stayer Lordano (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}). The latter was 2 3/4 lengths adrift of Straight when third to GI Breeders' Cup Turf hero Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in September's G1 Preis von Europa at Cologne. Sarka Schutz trainee Atoso (Ger) (Guiliani {Ire}) completes the roll call.
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