The only time Daylami and Royal Anthem have clashed this season, the grey won out by a three quarters of a length over a trip that was believed to be in excess of his ideal in the Coronation Cup.

Today Daylami takes on Royal Anthem over the 10 furlongs of the Esat Digifone Champion Stakes and Royal Anthem is as low as 5 to 4 with Daylami at 2 to 1. As the Americans say, go figure.

Quite what the scenario would have been if Montjeu had taken up his declaration instead of waiting for the Prix Niel tomorrow is debatable but even allowing for the presence of last year's French and Irish Derby winner Dream Well, the big two again look set to dominate.

Of course in the meantime Royal Anthem has put in a performance that is officially rated the best in Europe in 13 years. That came in the Juddmonte at York when he pulverised the opposition by eight lengths.

It appeared to vindicate Henry Cecil's belief that a mile and a half is now too far for Royal Anthem and he reports that his colt may yet be "still improving".

Throw in the presence of the American superstar Gary Stevens on Royal Anthem's back and it is a convincing argument but is one sparkling display, against a field that looked to be out on at its feet well before the finish, enough to justify favouritism over the proven Group One quality of Daylami?

It's not as if Godolphin's five-year-old has stood still since Epsom. He put in the best performance of his life to annihilate the opposition in the King George and Swain easily managed to complete the double last season.

Godolphin are going for a third success in this race after Swain and Cezanne (1994) and the 12 Group One victories already racked up by them this term gives a lot of conviction to their increasing confidence in Daylami's chance.

Lord Of Men can either set the ideal pace for Daylami or harrass Royal Anthem if he tries to dominate, just the sort of options that Central Park presented in that Coronation Cup.

In that race, nothing was finishing faster than Dream Well who couldn't handle the track. Take that into account and he doesn't have a lot to make up on Daylami and Royal Anthem but on what we know he does like soft ground and a mile and a half.

Only Timarida (1996) has won this race for the home team this decade and that doesn't look like changing this time.

Last weekend's Matron Stakes winner Dazzling Park is coming into form and could be the best of them but Jim Bolger has expressed doubts about her getting further than a mile. Make No Mistake could yet take up the Australian option of the Cox Plate but in Europe he looks a Group Two performer plain and simple while Sunshine Street is well exposed. Sunspangled would be a shock winner.

Daylami, however, would not and in his private battle with Royal Anthem, he can make it 20.