held up, went 3rd 5f out, hard ridden and not run on approaching final furlong
prominent until ridden and weakened over 2f out
made all, always going well, shaken up 2f out, quickened clear, easily (new track record)
prominent until ridden and weakened over 3f out
in rear, pushed along and struggling 3f out, ran on inside final furlong, no impression (wore cheek pieces)
chased winner, hard ridden and no impression final 2f
Moon Ballad burst on to the Classic scene after making all to land the Group 2 Dante at York in May and showed that effort was no fluke when finishing an honourable third in the Derby. Godolphin's colt has not been seen out since but this represents a huge drop in class and it will be disappointing if he is not able to take full advantage. Sohaib has shown improved form for the step up to this trip and followed a Listed Chester win with a fair effort behind a useful yardstick in a Group 3 at Ayr in July. The Barry Hills-trained colt should provide stern opposition but Priors Lodge does not seem as effective over this trip as shorter and Sir George Turner has not fulfilled his potential so Chianti, who ran well in defeat behind Naheef at Windsor last time, may pose a bigger threat.
