ERTIJAAL (IRE) (NAP), not to be confused with one of the same name who runs later, won this easily on his return to action last season then comfortably beat Fityaan, who was receiving 13lb, before ending the campaign with a narrow defeat in the Al Quoz Sprint on World Cup night. He's an outstanding sprinter who has a decent draw and Jim Crowley looks to have picked up a winning ride. Caspian Prince, twice winner of the Epsom Dash, completed a hat-trick for Roger Fell in the autumn but was behind the selection here in February while the much-travelled Spirit Quartz is better on soft ground which he's unlikely to get here. The latter remark also applies to The Happy Prince, a winner on heavy going at the Curragh in September but Sir Maximilian has an excellent record on this track and is well handicapped if anywhere near his best. Line Of Reason went off the boil slightly after breaking the track record at Beverley in June.
Ertijaal (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) Tracked leaders, led 300m out, headed 100m out, ran on well, 2nd of 0, 3/4l behind Buffering (9-0) at Meydan 5f Grp 1 in Mar.
Fityaan 40-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ran on final 400m but never able to challenge, 6th of 0, 2 3/4l behind Buffering (9-0) at Meydan 5f Grp 1 in Mar.
The Happy Prince (IRE) 7-1 (10-2) Mid-division, progress into 3rd under 2f out and ridden in 2nd 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Caspian Prince (9-13) at Dundalk 5f lst stks (1) pol in Oct.
Caspian Prince (IRE) 5-2fav (9-12) Chased winner until 2f out, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Distant Past (8-3) at Newcastle 5f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Spirit Quartz (IRE) (9-6) won at Fontainebleau 6f stks sft in Nov beating Blue Soave (8-13) by hd, 9 ran.
Roi De Vitesse (IRE) (9-6) 13th of 0, 10l behind Mushir (8-9) at Jebel Ali 6f hcp fst in Nov.
Fencing (USA) (9-0) 16th of 0, 17 1/4l behind Mushir (8-9) at Jebel Ali 6f hcp fst in Nov.
Saayerr (9-1) 7th of 10, 14l behind Marking (9-6) at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Feb.
Sir Maximilian (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, 9th of 10, 6 1/2l behind Gracious John (9-9) at Lingfield 5f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Ahlan Emarati (IRE) (9-2) 15th of 0, 16 1/2l behind Mushir (8-9) at Jebel Ali 6f hcp fst in Nov.
High On Life (8-10) 7th of 0, 4 1/2l behind Mushir (8-9) at Jebel Ali 6f hcp fst in Nov.
Line Of Reason (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Steadied start, held up, in rear, pushed along halfway, headway near side edging left over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, ran on, never nearer, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Distant Past (8-3) at Newcastle 5f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Master Of War 12-1 (8-13) 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Ertijaal (8-13) at Meydan 6f hcp stks gd in Feb.
Moonraker 16-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, stands side, ridden 2f out, lost place over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 15th of 18, 9 1/4l behind Magnus Maximus (9-7) at Ascot 6f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Mubtaghaa (IRE) (9-6) 7th of 12, 6 1/4l behind Mushir (8-5) at Jebel Ali 5f hcp fst in Oct.
Taexali (IRE) 18-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, driven halfway, not much room over 1f out, never able to challenge, 5th of 6, 1 3/4l behind Caspian Prince (9-7) at Musselburgh 5f stks (3) gd in Oct.
Jay Eff Express (AUS) (8-3) 2nd of 16, 1 1/4l behind at Kranji 7f gd in Nov.
Midlander (IRE) (9-0) 10th of 0, 19l behind My Catch (9-0) at Meydan 6f lst stks fst in Dec.
Mushir (8-9) won at Jebel Ali 6f hcp fst in Nov beating Art Wave (8-11) by hd, 0 ran.
