Ghaamer won this last year when Anaerobio, who was conceding 6lb, was a close fourth. The winner continued in fine form throughout the campaign and can confirm the form with Mike De Kock's veteran, who looks best of the trainer's quartet though the lightly-raced Whistle Stop could be well in. Elite Excalibur had decent form in Australia before scoring in Singapore in November but AMERICAN HOPE looks to have as good a chance as any in a wide-open handicap. He did quite well in top handicaps in the UK and won the last of his three starts on this track in March. David O'Meara's Salateen ended his season in the UK with a double while Flash Fire, who won the Victoria Cup at Ascot in May and hails from a yard in form, looks best of the remainder.
Ghaamer (USA) (9-0) 5th of 0, 13 3/4l behind My Catch (9-0) at Meydan 6f lst stks fst in Dec.
Anaerobio (ARG) (9-6) 8th of 16, 8 1/4l behind Baltic Knight (9-6) at Doha 1m gd in Feb.
Elite Excalibur (AUS) (9-2) won at Kranji 7f gd in Nov
Fils Anges (IRE) (9-3) 12th of 0, 10 1/4l behind American Hope (8-10) at Meydan 7f hcp gf in Mar.
American Hope (USA) (8-10) won at Meydan 7f hcp gf in Mar beating Championship (8-11) by 1l, 0 ran.
Flash Fire (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Raced wide towards rear, never a factor, last of 17, 17 1/4l behind Certificate (9-5) at Goodwood 7f hcp stks (2) gf in Aug.
Arcanada (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 6 3/4l behind Quebee (8-8) at Sandown 1m lst stks (1) gd in Sep.
Mastermind (SAF) (9-2) 8th of 0, 6l behind American Hope (8-10) at Meydan 7f hcp gf in Mar.
Banaadeer (AUS) (9-0) 7th of 0, 5 1/2l behind American Hope (8-10) at Meydan 7f hcp gf in Mar.
Salateen 9-1 (9-5) Made all, ridden over 1f out, held on gamely, won at Newmarket 7f hcp (2) gf in Sep beating Shady Mccoy (8-9) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Mutawathea 10-1 (9-3) Raced centre, chased leaders, every chance 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 8th of 24, 5 1/2l behind Librisa Breeze (9-1) at Ascot 7f hcp stks (2) gf in Jul.
Rene Mathis (GER) 14-1 (9-4) Close up, switched right approaching final furlong, stayed on close home, 4th of 12, 2l behind Sound Advice (9-1) at Chester 1m hcp (2) gd in May.
Shaishee (USA) (9-0) 6th of 0, 16 1/2l behind My Catch (9-0) at Meydan 6f lst stks fst in Dec.
Kanaf (IRE) (8-13) 9th of 10, 23 3/4l behind Sharpalo (8-5) at Jebel Ali 1m 1f stks fst in Nov.
Whistle Stop (SAF) 12-1 (9-0) 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Sanshaawes (9-6) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp gf in Jan.
Encipher (USA) (9-1) won at Muscat 1m stks fst in Apr
Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) 22-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, last of 6, 6 1/4l behind Latharnach (9-0) at Redcar 7f lst stks (1) gf in Oct.
Nabbaash (9-0) 12th of 0, 19 3/4l behind Morawij (9-0) at Jebel Ali 5f lst stks fst in Mar.
