'We think he belongs in this company' - who will add their name to an illustrious list of National Stakes winners?

The score stands at 4-3 between Coolmore and Godolphin in the National Stakes over the last decade and it is another showdown between the superpowers of the Flat game this year.

Aidan O'Brien withdrew City Of Troy at the eleventh hour last year, leaving the door open for stablemate Henry Longfellow to score comfortably. That was his first success in this Group 1 since Churchill back in 2016. He had won the previous two runnings with Air Force Blue and Gleneagles as well.

Henri Matisse is the chosen one this year. He is unbeaten in three starts and has won the Railway and the Futurity Stakes on the way here. He hasn't blown us away on any of his three starts, but he's a professional who seems to do just enough. There should be more to come, but he looks skimpy enough in the market on what he has done so far.

Charlie Appleby has bossed this race of late, though, winning three of the last six runnings. Quorto won it in 2018, while the superb juvenile Pinatubo was successful in 2019. Native Trail also won this on the way to Dewhurst glory.

Aomori City might not have been towards the top of Appleby's pecking order of juveniles at the start of the season, but he is working his way up the table and there was a bit of a swagger to the way he won the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood. Plenty went wrong, yet he was still well on top at the line. He strikes me as a colt who saves his best for the track.

Hill Road could be anything. He was only allowed to go off at 11-2 for a strong-looking Leopardstown maiden on his debut, which he won decisively by five lengths. Connections could have opted for the Group 2 over a mile back at that track on Saturday, but they have come here instead. That probably tells you the calibre he is held in. Still, a Racing Post Rating of 88 for that debut display means he has plenty to find on the figures.

Aomori City: winner of the Vintage Stakes under William Buick

Aomori City: could be the danger to Henri MatisseCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Cowardofthecounty probably hasn't lived up to his lofty expectations after comfortably disposing of Whistlejacket on his debut, but perhaps he needs some cut in the ground, so any rain that arrives will suit. This trip certainly suited at Deauville.

Seeing the name of Dylan Browne McMonagle next to Scorthy Champ raised a few eyebrows, but he was returning from a long layoff in the Futurity so perhaps there is more to come from him.

Seagulls Eleven bumped into the smart Ancient Truth in the Superlative Stakes last time and is not out of it either.

This is more open than the betting would lead you to believe.

What they say

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Aomori City
He brings a nice profile into this and has earned his chance at this level on the back of his Vintage Stakes win. We felt there was marked improvement with the step up to seven furlongs at Goodwood and he deserves to be respected.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Cowardofthecounty and Scorthy Champ
Cowardofthecounty comes here off a good Group 3 win at Deauville and has earned his shot at this. Scorthy Champ has prepared very well for race. He ran well in a trial for this last time and we think he has come forward since then as it was his first run after a layoff.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Henri Matisse, Rock Of Cashel and The Parthenon
Henri Matisse seems very well and we've had this race in mind for him for a while. We were delighted with him in the Fururity and he has done well since then. Everyone is happy and we're looking forward to it. Rock Of Cashel is a solid colt who we think will improve with racing, while The Parthenon was a bit disappointing last time at Salisbury. We think he's better than that and we've put a visor on him.

Adrian Murray, trainer of Hill Road
He was impressive on his debut at Leopardstown and came out the race well. We think he's improved. We had the choice of coming here or going to Leopardstown but we decided to take the shot at the Group 1. We think he belongs in this company and can represent us well.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Seagulls Eleven
Truth be told I was a tiny bit disappointed in the Superlative and that's why we've given him so much time. He's a very big horse – much bigger than his dad [Galileo Gold] – and I just felt he was a tiny bit weak there. I'm sure we were beaten by a good horse. He's done so well physically since. The original plan was to go to the Solario but he cut his tongue a few days before and had to miss that. He's right as rain now and we're really looking forward to it.

Read these next:

'He was by far the superior horse there' - can anyone stop Nunthorpe hero Bradsell following up in the Flying Five?

'This has been the plan' - can 1,000 Guineas and Oaks favourite Bedtime Story remain unbeaten in the Moyglare?

Kyprios can regain Irish St Leger crown and edge that little bit closer to Yeats in the legacy debate