finish position 2
finish position 4
A high quality renewal and the return to action of GITANO HERNANDO has been long awaited. He always goes well fresh so an absence since a fine run behind Twice Over in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket shouldn't be a problem for Marco Botti's classy performer who has the Dubai World Cup on the agenda. Al Shemali, shock winner of the Dubai Duty Free last year, proved that was no fluke with an outstanding subsequent run in the Singapore Cup but could just need this. Crowded House hasn't won since the 2008 Racing Post Trophy but he's competed at the very highest level and was in good form at this fixture last year. Just to emphasise the class on show here, Bold Silvano landed the Grade 1 Durban July at Greyville, South Africa's biggest race, and Mike De Kock believes he can win one of the big ones at the Carnival. He's another with the World Cup as his target and could be a bit rusty. Spring Of Fame has fitness on his side but it's a long way from winning a handicap here to beating these high-class opponents.
Bold Silvano (SAF) 13-2 (8-10) Fluent-top class win, won at Greyville(SAF) 1m 3f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul beating Irish Flame (8-11) by 1l, 20 ran.
Spring of Fame (USA) 8-1 (9-2) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f hcp in Jan beating Haatheq (8-13) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Al Shemali (8-13) 3rd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Lizard's Desire (8-13) at Kranji(SNG) 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gs in May.
My Indy (ARG) 33-1 (8-13) 9th of 14, 9l behind Mendip (8-13) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1) in Jan.
Crowded House 16-1 (8-12) Bobbled start,wkened, last of 7, 19l behind Richard's Kid (8-12) at Hollywood Park(USA) 1m 1f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Oct.
Interaction (ARG) (8-9) 7th of 8, 11l behind Cirrus Des Aigles (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 2f Listed stks gd in Sep.
Gitano Hernando 15-2 (9-3) In touch, jinked right 9f out, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, driven and rallied inside final furlong, went 4th near finish, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Twice Over (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
Trois Rois (FR) 20-1 (8-13) 4th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Bronze Cannon (8-8) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f stks (3yo+) in Jan.
Silverside (USA) 4-1 (9-6) 4th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Pressing (9-6) at Veliefendi(TUR) 1m Grp 2 (1) sft in Sep.