PIRATE'S COVE had the benefit of an earlier run when blasting his rivals away over track and trip a fortnight ago. Alareef chased hard and should get a bit closer with that run under his belt while Ajraam finished with a real flourish after being out with the washing though neither got close enough to suggest a form reversal. Moosir, who ended last year with a double, finished tailed off which was obviously not his form. Shillong is a specialist on Dirt at Jebel Ali and gained his fourth victory there with a very easy success last week. He ran well in a similar race to this a year ago and could provide a threat. Scrutineer made a bright start for new connections but hasn't done as well as expected.
Scrutineer (IRE) 13-2 (9-4) 7th of 15, 6 1/4l behind Ejaaby (8-10) at Meydan 6f hcp gd in Jan.
Shillong 10-3fav (9-5) won at Jebel Ali 6f hcp fst in Jan beating Galesburg (9-1) by 6l, 11 ran.
Pirate's Cove (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) won at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Jan beating Alareef (9-6) by 7 1/4l, 13 ran.
Jayed Jidan (IRE) (9-0) 11th of 0, 22 1/2l behind Haatheq (9-0) at Jebel Ali 1m 2f lst stks in Feb.
Alareef (SAF) 20-1 (9-6) 2nd of 13, 7 1/4l behind Pirate's Cove (8-11) at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Jan.
Mushaakis (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) 6th of 7, 6 1/2l behind High On Life (9-2) at Jebel Ali 5f stks fst in Jan.
Lytham St Annes (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) 13th of 14, 21 1/4l behind Secret Ambition (9-1) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Dec.
Ajraam (USA) 10-1 (8-11) 3rd of 13, 7 1/4l behind Pirate's Cove (8-11) at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Jan.
Moosir (USA) 8-1 (8-10) last of 13, 26 1/2l behind Pirate's Cove (8-11) at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Jan.
Bochart 7-1 (9-1) 12th of 13, dist behind Galvanize (8-8) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Nov.