This is the opening meeting of the Carnival and the first race to be run on Turf this season. It was won last year by Golden Wood, trained by Chantilly-based Nicolas Caullery, who has Maifalki engaged this time. Four times a winner for Jason Ward last season, including a Listed contest at Craon, he'll be primed for this though he's 20lb higher than his last winning mark in the UK. EARNSHAW started off last season with a fine run behind Benbati where, as usual, he was running on when the race was all over. Today's longer trip should play to his strengths and another good season is envisaged. Godolphin have three entries with Bin Battuta was last seen finishing a neck second to Secret Advisor in York's Melrose Handicap in 2017. He hasn't raced subsequently though should be suited by the shorter trip. Ispolini won a Kempton maiden just over a year ago before running well enough in Group 3 company in the spring while Big Challenge completes the trio and he'll be fit enough having run at Chelmsford in October. Jim Crowley rides Jaaref rather than the owner's Basateen and his mount will strip fitter than most having followed a victory at Abu Dhabi with a close second in a Listed contest there last month.
Earnshaw (USA) (9-0) 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Light The Lights (9-0) at Abu Dhabi 1m 3f gf in Mar.
Jaaref (IRE) (9-2) 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Forjatt (9-2) at Abu Dhabi 1m gd in Dec.
Bin Battuta 8-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway and in touch on inside over 3f out, soon challenged, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 19, nk behind Secret Advisor (9-2) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Ispolini (9-2) 4th of 7, 4l behind Neufbosc (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 4f Grp 3 gs in May.
Sharpalo (FR) (9-2) 6th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Forjatt (9-2) at Abu Dhabi 1m gd in Dec.
Basateen (IRE) (9-11) 2nd of 10, 1l behind Brass Ring (9-0) at Abu Dhabi 1m 4f gd in Dec.
Appeared 12-1 (9-9) Toward rear, driven over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, never near leaders, 10th of 18, 7 1/4l behind Titus (9-0) at York 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Maifalki (FR) (9-6) 11th of 12, 25l behind Malkoboy (9-3) at Lyon-Parilly 1m 4f lst stks sft in Nov.
Big Challenge (IRE) 9-4 (9-3) Disputed close 3rd, pushed along in 3rd and unable to quicken over 2f out, no impression when hung left over 1f out, 3rd of 4, 3 3/4l behind Archetype (9-3) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f stks (3) pol in Oct.
Secret Advisor (FR) 5-1fav (9-2) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway when switched inside over 2f out, soon chased leaders, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug beating Bin Battuta (9-4) by nk, 19 ran.
Syphax (USA) 18-1 (9-0) 8th of 9, 28 1/2l behind Cosmo Charlie (9-0) at Meydan 1m 2f lst stks in Dec.
