Returning to Munich on Sunday to the scene of his triumph in the G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis 12 months ago, Gestut Winterhauch's Lucky Lion (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) bids to prove his defeat of the subsequent G1 Champion S. hero Noble Mission (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) was no fluke. Also successful in the G2 Mehl-Mulhens-Rennen, or German 2000 Guineas, at Cologne last May and second in the G1 Deutsches Derby at Hamburg in early July, the bay looked back on track after two off-the-board efforts when enjoying a confidence-boosting conditions win over this trip at Mulheim July 11. As in 2014, Lucky Lion has to overcome a stern British challenge, which comes in the form of Lady Cobham's Air Pilot (GB) (Zamindar). Although the 6-year-old is not in the same league as Noble Mission and his latest win came in an impoverished renewal of the G3 International S. at this trip at The Curragh June 28, he demands respect as a consistent performer at listed and Group 3 level in Britain. Fourth last year, Stall Salzburg's subsequent G3 Premio Ambrosiano winner and G1 Premio Presidente della Repubblica runner-up Magic Artist (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) returns to home soil after a latest fifth in the GI Manhattan H. at Belmont June 6.
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