One Man Band has been in superb form in handicaps but takes a step into the unknown on his debut at pattern race level. Le Bernardin hails from a trainer/jockey combination in outstanding form and the seven-year-old has been a major contributor having won a Listed event and a Group 2 in recent weeks. He's an obvious threat though everything points to another Mike De Kock victory with World Cup hope MUBTAAHIJ (NAP). Narrowly beaten in last year's 2000 Guineas here he ended the campaign winning the UAE Derby and his two later efforts were behind American Pharoah in the USA Classics at Churchill Downs and Belmont. Godolphin's USA imports Confrontation and Watershed have also raced at a high level with preference for the latter on this occasion as he has the most scope.
Confrontation (USA) 14-5 (8-6) 4w upper, no match, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Liam's Map (8-12) at Belmont Park 1m fst in Jun.
Long River (USA) (9-0) 13th of 0, dist behind Le Bernardin (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 2 stks fst in Jan.
Watershed (USA) 15-2 (8-6) Btwn into str,no rally, 5th of 7, 7 1/4l behind Runhappy (8-11) at Santa Anita 7f stks (1) fst in Dec.
Mubtaahij (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Left rail 1/2,no rally, 4th of 8, 7 3/4l behind American Pharoah (9-0) at Belmont Park 1m 4f stks (1) fst in Jun.
Le Bernardin (USA) (9-0) won at Meydan 1m Grp 2 stks fst in Jan beating Layl (9-0) by hd, 0 ran.
One Man Band (IRE) 4-5fav (9-4) won at Meydan 1m 1f hcp gd in Jan beating Emirates Flyer (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Indianapolis (USA) 25-1 (9-0) 6th of 9, 12 1/4l behind Reynaldothewizard (9-0) at Meydan 6f lst stks fst in Jan.
