slight lead, pushed along halfway, ridden and unable to quicken when not much room on rails 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong but no impression
raced freely, pressed leaders on outer, led over 2f out, driven clear when edged left inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on same pace over 1f out, no impression
held up, headway and squeezed through to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong
The experience of soft ground swings the vote towards Mutawajid, who is selected ahead of Amigioni and Upper Hand. Tim Easterby is a rare visitor to Goodwood, so any support for Mullaad could also be interesting. Always Hopeful ran well in the Super Spring at Newbury and shapes as if he can pay his way again before too long. However, this does look a much stiffer test for him and he may have to wait for another day. Upper Hand was not beaten far in the July Stakes and he should handle the ground. It will not be surprising to see him make the selection pull out all the stops here. A similar statement can be posted about Amigioni, who won a Group three in good style at The Curragh earlier in the month. However, this is very different ground and the faces a stiff test under his penalty. Therefore, we go with Mutawajid, whose form has a solid feel about it at this stage and he looks to have the touch of class required to take this event in his stride.
Amigoni (IRE) 7-4fav (9-0) In touch, 4th halfway, improved into 2nd over 2f out, challenged from 1 1/2f out, slight advantage from under 1f out, kept on well under pressure, won at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf beating Black Charmer (9-0) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Always Hopeful 12-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 25, 2l behind Lady Livius (8-5) at Newbury 5f 2yo aut (2) gf.
Green Pride 7-2 (8-7) Soon outpaced in rear, ridden halfway, moderate headway on outside final furlong, no impression, 6th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Sir Percy (8-6) at Salisbury 6f 2yo aut (2) gf in Jun.
Mullaad (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) In touch and soon pushed along, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, eased close home, won at Chester 5f 2yo stk (2) gf beating Amadeus Wolf (9-0) by a nk, 8 ran.
Mutawajid (IRE) 2-1fav (8-12) Led 1f, remained prominent, led again over 1f out, ran on well, won at Newmarket 6f nov stk (3) gs beating Jamieson Gold (8-8) by 2l, 10 ran.
Upper Hand 8-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, bumped near finish, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Ivan Denisovich (8-10) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gs.
