G1 Preis von Europa

Sunday sees Cologne's G1 Mehl-Mulhens-Stiftung Preis von Europa, for which the King George hero Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) would have been a warm order, but there is still intrigue with Godolphin's 2022 title-holder Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in attendance. Having covered himself in glory when third in a red-hot renewal of Ascot's July showcase event, the winner of five top-flight events including a Breeders' Cup Turf and a Dubai Sheema Classic appears as good as ever and that should be enough despite the presence of Liberty Racing's G1 Deutsches...

Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) has been ruled out of Sunday's G1 Preis von Europa at Cologne due to a minor setback, it was announced on Thursday. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, Goliath has been off the track since his shock 25-1 victory in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July, with prominent American owner John Stewart subsequently purchasing a majority share in the four-year-old from Philip Baron von Ullmann. Goliath had been set for a rematch with King George third Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire})...

Sunday's G1 Preis von Europa was all about the fillies and mares as Gestut Ittlingen's India (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}--Ivory Coast {Fr}, by Peintre Celebre) overcame the Irish challenger Trevaunance (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) to keep the Cologne prize at home. Registering her fourth group win when getting the better of the talented pair Mqse De Sevigne (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Rogue Millennium (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in ParisLongchamp's G3 Prix Allez France in April, the Waldemar Hickst-trained homebred was settled with two behind early by Rene Piechulek. Sent forward at the top...

While the world holds it breath for the upcoming Arc weekend, Sunday's action is relatively low-key with Cologne's G1 Preis von Europa the main attraction. Won last year by the rampant Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}), the 12-furlong test is a competitive affair this time with Godolphin's Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) looking to emulate her by adding this to his success in Hoppegarten's G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin Aug. 14. Last year's third Sisfahan (Fr) (Isfahan {Ger}) re-enters the fray and along with Sammarco (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) boosts the line-up...

GSW Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) could try for Group 1 glory in Germany, once he has had time to recover from his unfortunate passage in the G1 Investec Derby at Epsom. Trainer William Muir has the Preis von Europa at Cologne in mind for his stable star, whose hopes of Classic success were dashed soon after the start on Saturday. "Once he got knocked over that was our race gone," said Muir. "It happened when they cross from one side of the track to the other. He ended up...