behind, ridden and no impression when hung right over 2f out, soon weakened
raced keenly in touch, effort and every chance over 1f out, ridden and kept on until no extra towards finish
steadied start, held up in rear, ridden 2f out, never able to challenge
in touch, lost place over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
with leader, lost place 3f out, soon ridden and no impression
close up on outside, ridden and outpaced 2f out, no impression final furlong
tracked leaders, challenged over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
made all, ridden over 1f out, held on gamely final furlong
close up on inside, ridden and outpaced 2f out, weakened final furlong
Unless Luca Cumani's newcomer Accusation proves to be out of the ordinary this should be little more than a match between Hint of Spring and Muqadam, with preference for the last mentioned of the two. Godolphin's Hint Of Spring has shown gradual improvement in his races but probably needs to improve again to beat the selection. Charlie Egerton's Schoenberg has shown signs of ability form admittedly limited opportunities, while Mark Johnston's Monsoon Wedding is proving to be hard to win with after five starts and has not progressed as much as may have been anticipated. The vote then goes to Sir Michael Stoute's Muqadam, who has improved with each start and he may not need to improve again to land this.
Musical Giant (USA) 20-1 (8-12) Chased leaders to over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 11l behind Whittinghamvillage (8-8) at Hamilton 1m hcap (6) gs in Jul.
Muqadam (IRE) 2-5fav (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, driven to challenge and every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on, held, 2nd of 5, hd behind Evening Affair (8-12) at Beverley 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gf in Aug.
Optical Illusion (USA) 9-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 17l behind Zamalik (9-5) at Hamilton 6f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf.
Royal Citadel (IRE) 28-1 (8-10) Chased leaders on outer, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 16, 8l behind Garibaldi (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcap (6) gf.
Soul Angel 33-1 (8-10) Always behind, ridden and struggling halfway, 11th of 12, 17l behind Flying Goose (9-3) at Folkestone 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Jul.
Accusation (IRE) Barathea filly, related to several winners from 7f-2m and over jumps.
Hint of Spring 9-2 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Gold Hush (8-8) at Thirsk 1m mdn stk (5) gf in May.
Monsoon Wedding 9-2 (8-8) Chased leaders, pushed along over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 6l behind Snowed Under (9-9) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Aug.
Zawariq (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden 4f out, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 7l behind Dalvina (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Oct.
Schoenberg (USA) 12-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden halfway kept on, 4th of 10, 6l behind Plucky (8-12) at Chepstow 7f mdn stk (5) gf in Aug.
