tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ridden and pressed from over 1f out, ran on gamely
towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden to challenge winner from over 1f out, ran on but always looked held
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders
awkwardly away in rear, ridden over 2f out, never nearer
switched left start in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Nonrunner
Only a head separated Quiz Mistress and Noble Mission when they filled the places in last year's renewal. The former ended last season with a below par effort behind Cubanita in the St Simon Stakes over track and trip and the latter is penalised 3lb for that success. Astonishing won a Listed race at Newmarket so convincingly that she was raised 17lb and has something to prove now, while Khione also scored in Listed company at Goodwood in May, but that was her only start of 2013. Pether's Moon continues to improve but MUTASHADED is preferred. Rated only 88 heading into the Group 2 King Edward Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, he finished an impressive third to Hillstar and looks an exciting prospect for Roger Varian's yard this season.
Cubanita 9-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, switched right to challenge 2f out, every chance over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) hvy in Oct beating Nichols Canyon (8-10) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Noble Mission 14-1 (8-13) 4th of 13, 7l behind Cirrus Des Aigles (8-13) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 2f Grp 2 (1) sft in Oct.
Rawaki (IRE) (9-2) 7th of 9, 22l behind Vif Monsieur (8-9) at Baden-Baden(GER) 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Mutashaded (USA) 11-2 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Hillstar (8-12) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Nearly Caught (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, reminders over 7f out, weakened over 3f out, eased over 2f out, tailed off, 22nd of 23, well behind Conduct (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Khione 4-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, good headway to 3rd halfway, went 2nd 4f out, led inside final 3f, stayed on strongly final furlong, eased close home, won at Goodwood 1m 4f fll lst stks (1) gd in May beating Jehannedarc (8-12) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Quiz Mistress 17-2 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, never on terms, 4th of 8, 12l behind Cubanita (9-0) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) hvy in Oct.
Astonishing 11-4fav (8-9) Held up in rear, rapid headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on strongly, comfortable, won at Newmarket 1m 4f fll lst stks (1) gd in Sep beating Songbird (9-3) by 7l, 10 ran.
Cocktail Queen (IRE) 9-2fav (8-10) Prominent, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 17, 1 3/4l behind Miss Cap Estel (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f fll lst stks (1) sft in Nov.
Pether's Moon (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) Made virtually all, quickened clear over 1f out, soon edged right, kept on well, won at Kempton 1m 4f Listed stks (1) pol in Nov beating Gatewood (9-3) by 4l, 7 ran.
