Salem bin Ghadayer completed a hat-trick at Jebel Ali on Friday and Pirate's Cove has bits and pieces of form that put him in the frame. Mickael Barzelona rode him to victory in France but his more recent partner Royston Ffrench has sided with Almerzem, who has a long absence to overcome. Rocket Power won a handicap at Jebel Ali in March though has disappointed in his two recent starts but ALMANAARA has the form to take this. Doug Watson's grey, a winner for Dermot Weld, made most and drew clear when scoring over 6f here in November though a 9lb rise makes things slightly more difficult and runner-up Scrutineer should get closer. Mutahaddith, who started favourite in that latter event, looked in need of the run and can do better. Drafted, from the same stable as the selection, was having his first start for a very long time when well beaten over 7f last month but is expected to improve.
Scrutineer (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) 5th of 11, 3 3/4l behind Kasb (9-0) at Jebel Ali 6f hcp fst in Dec.
Mutahaddith 3-1jfav (9-4) 4th of 9, 7l behind Almanaara (8-5) at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Nov.
Almanaara (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) won at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Nov beating Scrutineer (9-4) by 3 1/4l, 9 ran.
Drafted (USA) 4-1fav (9-5) 12th of 14, 14 1/4l behind Secret Ambition (9-1) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Dec.
Figure Of Speech (IRE) 50-1 (8-6) last of 11, 32 1/2l behind Kasb (9-0) at Jebel Ali 6f hcp fst in Dec.
Pirate's Cove (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) 9th of 12, 12 1/4l behind Ormindo (8-8) at Jebel Ali 7f hcp fst in Dec.
Almerzem (USA) (8-7) 6th of 13, 9 1/4l behind Carbon Dating (8-8) at Abu Dhabi 1m 3f hcp in Nov.
Rocket Power 5-1jfav (9-6) 4th of 16, 6 1/4l behind Farook (9-1) at Jebel Ali 6f hcp fst in Dec.
Midlander (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) 8th of 14, 10 1/4l behind Secret Ambition (9-1) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Dec.
