Path Of Thunder was a close third in this last year but hasn't run since September and William Buick prefers AL SUHAIL. Well beaten when odds-on for the race a year ago, he bounced back with an impressive victory in the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort two months ago and has been saved for this. Danyah won a handicap at Royal Ascot last year and has been going well here, comfortably landing a Listed contest last month with Shining Blue three lengths behind, but Laneqash, a Listed winner at Chester, hasn't run since July though does have a good record when fresh. Western Winter, unbeaten in two runs at Abu Dhabi, needs to step-up against these.
Ajwad (9-1) 5th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Taamol (9-11) at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Feb.
Al Suhail (9-0) won at Meydan 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jan beating Alfareeq (9-0) by 4l, 15 ran.
Danyah (IRE) (9-0) won at Meydan 7f lst stks gd in Feb beating Modern News (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Haqeeqy (IRE) (9-0) 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Western Writer (9-0) at Abu Dhabi 7f lst stks gd in Feb.
Laneqash 9-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, switched left and ridden over 2f out, no impression, 8th of 11, 6 1/2l behind Sandrine (8-9) at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jul.
Path Of Thunder (IRE) 13-2 (9-12) In rear, ridden well over 1f out, ran on, never on terms, 5th of 8, 3l behind Noble Dynasty (9-11) at Newmarket 7f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Rodaballo (9-0) 7th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Danyah (9-0) at Meydan 7f lst stks gd in Feb.
San Donato (IRE) (9-0) 6th of 10, 7 1/2l behind Valiant Prince (9-4) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 2 stks gd in Feb.
Shining Blue (IRE) (9-0) 3rd of 11, 3l behind Danyah (9-0) at Meydan 7f lst stks gd in Feb.
Syrtis (9-0) 2nd of 11, nk behind Western Writer (9-0) at Abu Dhabi 7f lst stks gd in Feb.
Taamol (IRE) (9-11) won at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Feb beating Meishar (9-0) by nk, 16 ran.
Western Writer (IRE) (9-0) won at Abu Dhabi 7f lst stks gd in Feb beating Syrtis (9-0) by nk, 11 ran.
Zainhom (USA) (9-5) 7th of 16, 1 3/4l behind Taamol (9-11) at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Feb.
Internationalangel (IRE) (9-0) 6th of 12, 7l behind With The Moonlight (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 2 stks gd in Feb.