The draw may play an important part in this big field with several of the leading contenders out with the washing. They include Ocean Tempest, who ran well from a much better draw last week, Kaiss, who has been getting his act together at Jebel Ali, and Yaa Wayl, who was placed a couple of times at last year's Carnival. Van Rooney is well berthed as he was when runner-up to Avon Pearl a week ago but TAMARKUZ has the best draw of all and looks the one to be on. A winner at Kempton for Godolphin in October, he started favourite on his debut here at the end of January and though not quite up to it he missed the break before running on. Free Wheeling has been running well enough in better company to be considered, especially as he's been dropped to a rating that allows him into this race.
Free Wheeling (AUS) 5-1 (8-13) 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Eastern Rules (8-11) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp gd in Feb.
Tamarkuz (USA) 9-4fav (9-1) 5th of 11, 4l behind Zahee (9-1) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp in Jan.
Ocean Tempest 33-1 (9-4) 3rd of 16, 2 3/4l behind Avon Pearl (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp in Feb.
Qatoomah (SDA) 20-1 (9-4) 7th of 16, 7l behind Avon Pearl (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp in Feb.
Van Rooney (USA) 12-1 (9-4) 2nd of 16, 2 1/4l behind Avon Pearl (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp in Feb.
Well Acquainted (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Led stand side pair, in touch with centre group, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 10l behind Tawhid (8-13) at Newbury 7f Listed stks 3yo (1) sft in Sep.
Yaa Wayl (IRE) (8-13) 2nd of 0, 4 1/2l behind Nawwaar (8-13) at Abu Dhabi(UAE) 7f Listed stks gf in Feb.
Alnashmy (FR) 7-1 (9-2) 5th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Eastern Rules (9-4) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp in Feb.
Bannock (IRE) 11-1 (8-11) Led, headed over 1f out, weakened, last of 4, 7l behind Lockwood (9-4) at Thirsk 7f cond Stakes (3) gd in Aug.
Derbaas (USA) 25-1 (9-4) 6th of 16, 5l behind Avon Pearl (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp in Feb.
Dragon Falls (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) 11th of 16, 9l behind Avon Pearl (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp in Feb.
Kaiss (USA) 11-2 (8-2) 2nd of 6, nk behind Kanaf (9-0) at Jebel Ali(UAE) 7f hcp in Feb.
Mister Big Shuffle (GER) 20-1 (9-1) last of 16, 19l behind Avon Pearl (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp in Feb.
Banna Boirche (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) 12th of 16, 10l behind Avon Pearl (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp in Feb.
Shamaal Nibras (USA) (8-13) 3rd of 0, 7l behind Nawwaar (8-13) at Abu Dhabi(UAE) 7f Listed stks gf in Feb.
Zurbriggen (8-13) 5th of 0, 8l behind Nawwaar (8-13) at Abu Dhabi(UAE) 7f Listed stks gf in Feb.
Mundahesh (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) 11th of 13, 8l behind Tasaday (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f Listed stks gd in Feb.
Chilworth Icon 25-1 (8-13) 8th of 16, 3l behind Zain Shamardal (9-6) at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp in Jan.
