Main De Fer scored on heavy going at Compiegne for Andre Fabre in 2014 and was having his first start for six months when runner-up at Jinna Lake in China in April. His conqueror that day was TADMIR, who has been in good form since returning to action and is better off at the weights so should have the edge again. Makzon showed a bit of ability for Sir Michael Stoute and made an encouraging debut on this track in a maiden over 1m2f last month so has to be on the shortlist. Aslan was staying on over 1m2f here in November and Almerzem's only victory to date came over this trip at Kempton. Darkening is held by the selection on their run at Sharjah last month.
Aslan (USA) 10-1 (8-5) 6th of 12, 7 3/4l behind Jeeraan (9-1) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Dec.
Mizbah (8-9) 13th of 14, 21 1/4l behind Moonlight Dash (9-5) at Abu Dhabi 1m 3f hcp gd in Nov.
Almerzem (USA) (8-4) 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Hunters Creek (8-7) at Abu Dhabi 1m 4f hcp gd in Dec.
Street Act (USA) 6-1 (9-3) 6th of 10, 12l behind Busatto (9-5) at Jebel Ali 1m 1f hcp pol in Dec.
Main De Fer (9-1) 2nd of 10, 3 1/4l behind Tadmir (9-3) at Jinma Lake Racecourse 1m 4f hcp gd in Apr.
Darkening (IRE) (9-3) 3rd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Tadmir (8-9) at Sharjah 1m 2f hcp fst in Dec.
Makzon (USA) (8-11) 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Piepowder Court (9-0) at Meydan 1m 2f mdn stks fst in Dec.
Tadmir (USA) 7-1 (8-6) 2nd of 10, 3 1/4l behind Busatto (9-5) at Jebel Ali 1m 1f hcp pol in Dec.
Mutual Force (USA) (9-1) 9th of 13, 13 3/4l behind Modern History (9-10) at Al Ain 1m hcp fst in Dec.
Rich And Righteous (IRE) (8-11) 6th of 12, 17 1/4l behind Piepowder Court (9-0) at Meydan 1m 2f mdn stks fst in Dec.
Ghazi (IRE) (9-1) 12th of 13, 29l behind Modern History (9-10) at Al Ain 1m hcp fst in Dec.