Pablo Escobarr arrives here race-fit having landed a Listed contest at Kempton a month ago. He isn't badly treated on the bulk of his form and will take some beating. However, Godolphin are mob-handed in the race and the lightly-raced and unexposed GIFTS OF GOLD could just be the type for this. A winner at Salisbury and Goodwood in the summer, he hung on the very firm ground at Yarmouth in August and looks capable of better. His stable companion Mountain Hunter completed a double in lucrative handicaps here in February and ended his summer campaign with a Listed victory at Newmarket so has to be respected. Another Godolphin entry, Lucius Tiberius, makes his debut here and is one to note.
Dukhan 16-1 (9-2) In rear, driven on outside over 1f out, edged left and no impression, 8th of 10, 7 1/2l behind Indeed (9-4) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Jun.
Mountain Hunter (USA) 11-2 (9-5) Prominent, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, switched left approaching final furlong, rallied inside final furlong, stayed on to lead post, won at Newmarket 1m 4f lst stks (1) gd in Sep beating Loxley (9-5) by ns, 5 ran.
Lucius Tiberius (IRE) 5-4fav (9-5) Tracked leader over 8f out, pushed along 3f out, ridden to lead narrowly over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon hampered and no chance after, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Raakib Alhawa (8-11) at Windsor 1m 3f lst stks (1) gf in Aug.
Zamaam (9-11) 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Recordman (9-6) at Abu Dhabi 1m 4f gd in Dec.
Zaman 10-3 (9-5) 5th of 14, 8 3/4l behind Mountain Hunter (9-1) at Meydan 1m 4f hcp gd in Feb.
Pablo Escobarr (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Led 1f, prominent, led 2f out, edged left 1f out, hard pressed, held on well, won at Kempton 1m 4f lst stks (1) pol in Dec beating Loxley (9-6) by nk, 8 ran.
Dubai Horizon (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) Close up stand side, pushed along and headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 15th of 30, 13l behind Lord North (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Universal Order 5-2 (9-2) Tracked rival pair, headway over 3f out, joined leader and poised to challenge 2f out, shaken up to lead inside final 100 yards, soon clear, readily, won at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp (2) gd in Sep beating El Misk (9-7) by 2 1/4l, 3 ran.
Great King (USA) (9-0) 7th of 10, 7 3/4l behind Moonhak Chief (9-0) at Seoul 1m 3f in Dec.
Gifts Of Gold (IRE) 11-10fav (10-3) Held up, steady progress to join leaders 4f out, shaken up to lead 2f out, edged left inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Protected Guest (9-5) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp (2) fm in Aug.
Across The Stars (IRE) 9-1 (9-6) Towards rear, ridden and weakened 3f out, 15th of 16, 16 3/4l behind Rainbow Rebel (8-11) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Koeman 9-1 (9-10) In rear, progress 8f out, headway and switched right over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newbury 1m 4f hcp (3) gf in Sep beating Kosciuszko (8-11) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
