Since 2001, Mark Johnston has captured this prize seven times, with Aidan O'Brien on four, and they are multiply represented once again, with the latter holding the stronger hand at first glance. Ballydoyle's trio is headed by Landofhopeandglory, who needs to improve on his latest last of five over 10 furlongs in The Curragh's G3 Gallinule S. May 22 but who is bred to over this extreme trip. His compatriot Ebediyin scored over 12 furlongs at Naas May 11, where another Ballydoyle runner Sword Fighter was in third, and as a stable companion of Harzand (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), he has a fair yardstick to aim at. A son of Ebadiyla (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) from the immediate family of this meeting's G1 Gold Cup winners Enzeli (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}) and Estimate (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}), who also won this race four years ago, he has the look of a colt who has been laid out for this.
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