Verdict

Moonfaarid made an encouraging debut when narrowly beaten over 6f at Newmarket but didn't appear to improve on his only subsequent start on Polytrack at Kempton, though there should still be some progress in him. Quiet Diplomacy had some decent form for Andre Fabre in France and hails from a yard who have started the Carnival well. His stablemate Zurbriggen was beaten twice at odds-on when trained by Charlie Appleby and doesn't look good enough but Asmar's effort behind Waahy in a maiden here at the beginning of the month was a promising first effort. Appleby is represented by Enobled Friend, who was an odds-on chance when only fourth at Kempton in September, and BUSTOPHER who is handed the vote. He made his debut in the Wood Ditton in April and was beaten less than a length by Ajraam with several subsequent winners in the race. Muhtaram has run his best races here and looks best of the remainder.

Formwatch

Bustopher (USA) 3-1fav (9-5) Chased leaders, challenged over 2f out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Ajraam (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 3yo mdn (4) gf in Apr.

Dress Down (USA) 4-1 (8-13) 10th of 16, 6l behind Exploratory (8-13) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f mdn stks in Jan.

Ennobled Friend (USA) 8-11fav (9-5) Led, headed over 5f out, chased leader, pushed along over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 4th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Deglet Noor (9-0) at Kempton 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Sep.

Muhtaram 9-4fav (9-3) 3rd of 16, 2 1/4l behind Firstknight (9-2) at Jebel Ali(UAE) 7f hcp in Jan.

Mutarjim (USA) 12-1 (9-0) 12th of 16, 8l behind Exploratory (8-13) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f mdn stks in Jan.

Price Is Truth (USA) 10-1 (9-2) 7th of 14, 9l behind Daar Rashid (8-7) at Jebel Ali(UAE) 6f hcp in Jan.

Quiet Diplomacy (9-1) 11th of 16, 9l behind Arthur The King (8-9) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 2f 3yo hcp sft in May.

Zurbriggen 4-5fav (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 13, 6l behind Appease (9-9) at Kempton 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Sep.

Asmar (IRE) 5-2fav (8-7) 3rd of 16, 6l behind Waahy (9-6) at Meydan(UAE) 1m mdn stks in Jan.

Ghasaq (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place over 2f out, 13th of 15, 11l behind Intermath (9-5) at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn (2) gf in Jun.

Moonfaarid Evensfav (9-5) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, close 3rd when not much room and kept in from well over 1f out until ridden and unable to quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Marzocco (9-5) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.

Royal Hunter (IRE) King's Best horse out of Relais D'aumale.

Police Force (USA) 5-2 (9-0) 4th of 15, 5l behind Damar (9-0) at Jebel Ali(UAE) 7f mdn stks in Jan.

Mr Churchill (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) 3rd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Damar (9-0) at Jebel Ali(UAE) 7f mdn stks in Jan.

Year Of Glory (IRE) 13-2 (8-7) 7th of 15, 7l behind Fiscal (9-6) at Jebel Ali(UAE) 7f mdn stks in Dec.

Anwar Dubai 40-1 (8-9) last of 10, 17l behind Wedding Ring (8-8) at Meydan(UAE) 7f flls stks in Jan.

Albayan (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) 2nd of 14, hd behind Daar Rashid (8-7) at Jebel Ali(UAE) 6f hcp in Jan.

Extroverted 25-1 (9-0) 8th of 16, 5l behind Exploratory (8-13) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f mdn stks in Jan.