Jim Crowley chooses Ekhtiyaar of Hamdal Al Maktoum's three entries and his mount, who won a handicap off exactly the same mark a year ago, will be difficult to beat. Could Be King won a premier handicap at Leopardstown during the summer and that could be his trip but the lightly-raced Man Of Promise, a winner at Yarmouth in June, is one to note on his debut here though a chance is taken with one lurking at the bottom of the weights, KING RAGNAR. A winner in the UK for Roger Varian, he was just over 4 lengths behind Equitorial two weeks ago but that was over 5f and with the longer trip certain to suit and Mike De Kock now in charge he's taken to make a winning start on the track.
Ekhtiyaar (9-6) 4th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Equilateral (9-6) at Meydan 5f hcp lst gd in Jan.
Vale Of Kent (IRE) (9-10) last of 8, 15 1/4l behind Taamol (9-0) at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Jan.
Could Be King (9-0) 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Land Of Legends (9-0) at Meydan 7f Grp 2 stks gd in Jan.
Final Song (IRE) (8-9) 6th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Land Of Legends (9-0) at Meydan 7f Grp 2 stks gd in Jan.
Fleeting Prince (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Raced wide in touch, headway to track leaders halfway, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Vale Of Kent (9-9) at Newmarket 7f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Alfareeq (IRE) (8-11) 12th of 16, 2 1/2l behind Bedouin's Story (9-1) at Meydan 1m hcp in Jan.
Kilfrush Memories (FR) (8-6) 8th of 14, 5 3/4l behind Equilateral (9-6) at Meydan 5f hcp lst gd in Jan.
Man Of Promise (USA) 6-4fav (9-4) Held up, travelled strongly to press leaders 3f out, led over 1f out, clear entering final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Musicality (8-13) at Newmarket 6f hcp (3) sft in Aug.
Yaalail (IRE) (9-1) 2nd of 13, 1l behind Wasim (8-13) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Jan.
Ottoman Court 6-4 (9-5) Made all, driven clear over 1f out, ridden and in no danger final furlong, easily, won at Chelmsford City 6f stks (4) pol in Nov beating King Ragnar (9-5) by 6l, 9 ran.
Wings Of Time (9-0) 8th of 9, 17 1/2l behind Mystique Moon (9-3) at Jebel Ali 7f hcp fst in Oct.
Es Raco (IRE) (9-6) won at Jagersro 6f hcp pol in Oct beating Hot Chocolate (8-9) by shd, 7 ran.
King Ragnar (8-5) 7th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Equilateral (9-6) at Meydan 5f hcp lst gd in Jan.
Dream Today (IRE) (8-5) 9th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Equilateral (9-6) at Meydan 5f hcp lst gd in Jan.
Silver Line (IRE) (9-0) 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Land Of Legends (9-0) at Meydan 7f Grp 2 stks gd in Jan.
Motafaawit (IRE) (9-2) 9th of 16, 8l behind Boerhan (9-2) at Abu Dhabi 1m gd in Dec.
Verboten (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Steadied start, in rear, pushed along halfway, never a factor, 13th of 17, 16 3/4l behind Toro Strike (9-7) at Goodwood 7f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Moraawed (9-8) 11th of 14, 20 1/2l behind Ode To Autumn (9-8) at Jebel Ali 7f hcp fst in Mar.
