Muthmir narrowly got the better of last year's winner Take Cover in a thrilling Qatar King George Stakes at Goodwood.
The former was the 3-1 favourite for trainer William Haggas and jockey Paul Hanagan after finishing a close third in the King's Stand at Royal Ascot before a slightly disappointing effort in the July Cup.
Back over the minimum distance, Muthmir encountered the strong pace off which he thrives, with the trailblazing Justineo, Take Cover and Caspian Prince all ridden forcefully on the drying ground.
After being strung out across the track early on, the bulk of the field tacked across to the far side approaching the final furlong and Muthmir found a dream passage against the far rail.
Once he quickened clear of Justineo, Haggas' inmate had to see off a rallying Take Cover - but he did so by a head. Move In Time finished with a rattle to grab third place.
Hanagan said: "He's very good. Everyone knows how strong he is now. Sometimes he can hit the stalls too well so I've just got to be brave with that blind. When he won the Group Two in France he pricked his ears a little bit, but there he really knuckled down."
Haggas: "He's fast and they went very fast - he's got a turn of foot. He won in France and he had a penalty for this so he was the best horse in the race. I would say that (Nunthorpe at York on 21 August) is exactly where we'll go."
David Griffiths, trainer of the runner-up, said: "I'm delighted he's got his form back but a little bit gutted at the same time.He's only been beaten a head and is back to his best.
"He absolutely loves it here - he's now been second in this race twice and won it once. He just must have quick ground, even good is a bit slow for him. Last time out at York he choked but we checked him out and couldn't find anything."
David O'Meara said of Move In Time and the fast-finishing Out Do, who was 10th: "He (Move In Time) ran a great race.
"He'll go to York now (Nunthorpe), then there's a race in France, a trial for the Abbaye, and then he'll go and try and win another Abbaye.
"Out Do was unfortunate the race unfolded on the opposite side of the track. He needs plenty of cover and didn't get any. I can't wait to run him in the Nunthorpe after that - I think he'll run a massive race."
