Verdict

Maamora landed a Group 3 at Sandown in August and her in-form yard won this in 2018. She’s preferred to Irish raider Ancient Spirit but THE REVENANT looks the one to beat once again having won this by over four lengths last year. The latter’s winning run came to an end in last season’s QE11 at Ascot but he made a winning reappearance and Francis Graffard’s charge is hard to oppose. Shaman has won a Group 2 over further since finishing third in last year’s renewal and Listed winner Motamarris also drops down in trip. Ziegfeld and Hurricane Cloud are both unexposed and the latter has won in soft ground but Ellerslie Lace looks up against it.

Formwatch

Shaman (IRE) (9-6) last of 8, dist behind Persian King (9-6) at Chantilly 1m 1f Grp 1 gs in Jul.

The Revenant 4-1 (9-4) Held up in mid-division, not much room over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner but slightly impeded inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, 1 1/4l behind King Of Change (9-1) at Ascot 1m Grp 1 stks (1) hvy in Oct.

Motamarris (IRE) (8-13) 3rd of 7, 4 1/4l behind Skalleti (8-13) at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 3 stks in Aug.

Ancient Spirit (GER) 14-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders on outer, 3rd halfway, pushed along approaching straight, no extra under 2f out and soon dropped to rear, eased, 9th of 10, 19 1/2l behind Safe Voyage (9-10) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep.

Ziegfeld (9-2) won at La Teste De Buch 1m lst stks gd in Sep beating Charlesquint (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.

Hurricane Cloud (8-13) won at Saint-Cloud 1m stks gs in Aug beating Sky Power (8-13) by 1/2l, 8 ran.

Ellerslie Lace (FR) (8-12) 5th of 8, 3 3/4l behind Queen Of Love (8-12) at Saint-Cloud 1m lst stks gs in Sep.

Maamora (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Made all, set steady pace until quickened over 2f out, ridden and stayed on well final furlong, unchallenged, won at Sandown 1m Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Aug beating Billesdon Brook (9-4) by 1/2l, 10 ran.