led until headed and no extra inside final furlong
held up, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
close up, switched left over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong
pulled hard, tracked leaders, ridden and effort 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on same pace
broke well, soon held up, stayed on final furlong
Improvise, an impressive recent winner, has a fitness edge on most of these and should go close to following up, but King Marju appears to have the stronger form and gets the vote, Museeb may do best of the others. The selection has always been held in high regard by trainer John Gosden and duly took a maiden her in September, beating Improvise in the process. He then took on better company and wasn't disgraced on his final outing in the Group three Horris Hill at Newbury when third to Cupid's Glory. This is basically a drop in class and he looks the one to be on. Improvise landed a recent Pontefract maiden in great style, beating Dixieanna by a comfortable five lengths. He has obviously trained on well and should go close under Frankie Dettori. Museeb has also started this campaign on a winning note, taking a Doncaster maiden. It is hard to assess how good the form is, but he did it in some style and should be involved in the finish. Best of the others could be Woodcote, but King Marju is expected to take this before returning to group company.
Museeb (USA) 8-11fav Chased leader, led 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, won at Doncaster 7f 3yo mdn gd beating Dabbers Ridge by 5l, 12 ran.
Stagbury Hill (USA) 20-1 Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 6th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Satchem at Kempton 6f 2yo Grp 3 (A1) gf in Sept.
St Andrews Storm (USA) 25-1 Held up, effort towards far side 2f out, soon ridden and edged left, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 13, 14l behind Cupid's Glory at Newbury 7f 2yo Grp 3 (A1) sft in Oct.
Tucker 5-2fav Held up, headway over 2f out, led and hung left over 1f out, ran on, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (D3) sft in Oct beating Lake Chini by 2l, 11 ran.
Woodcote (IRE) 10-1 Held up, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Moth Ball at York 6f 2yo lst stk (A1) gd in Oct.
King Marju (IRE) 11-1 Pulled hard, held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 1f out, one pace, no impression final furlong, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Cupid's Glory at Newbury 7f 2yo Grp 3 (A1) sft in Oct.
Improvise 11-8fav Chased leaders, led approaching 2f out, soon ridden, kept on well inside final furlong, eased towards finish, won at Pontefract 6f 3yo mdn gs in Mar beating Dixieanna by 5l, 11 ran.