The Sweden-trained Square De Luynes is second-best on official ratings having won eight of twelve races in his native country though he faces very much stiffer competition here. Top-rated is HUKUM, who ended last season with a brilliant victory in the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge at Ascot, form that would be good enough for this though he makes his debut here. Without A Fight is next best and he's also having his first start here having ended last term with an impressive victory in a Newmarket Listed race. Global Storm showed his liking for the track with a half-length victory over Alignak, who was receiving 5lb. However, the runner-up had to race very wide and finished strongly in what was a slowly run race so it wouldn't be a shock to see a form reversal.
Al Madhar (FR) (9-1) won at Meydan 1m 2f hcp gd in Feb beating First Winter (8-11) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Alignak (9-8) 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Global Storm (9-8) at Meydan 1m 4f hcp fst in Feb.
Amhran Na Bhfiann (IRE) 18-1 (9-11) Led, clear after 3f, well clear halfway, ridden and reduced advantage 3f out, headed 2f out, soon no extra, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 21l behind Sonnyboyliston (9-11) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
Court Poet (8-7) 7th of 13, 8l behind Appreciated (8-7) at Meydan 1m 2f lst stks fst in Feb.
Global Heat (IRE) (9-0) 3rd of 15, 6l behind Manobo (8-9) at Meydan 1m 6f Grp 3 stks gd in Feb.
Global Storm (IRE) (9-8) won at Meydan 1m 4f hcp fst in Feb beating Alignak (9-8) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Hukum (IRE) 85-40fav (9-5) Tracked leaders on inside, 2nd going well 3f out, led entering final 2f, soon clear and edged right, stayed on strongly, won at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Oct beating Eagles By Day (9-2) by 6 1/2l, 8 ran.
Island Brave (IRE) (9-0) 5th of 15, 6 1/2l behind Manobo (8-9) at Meydan 1m 6f Grp 3 stks gd in Feb.
Mekong (9-0) 9th of 15, 9 1/4l behind Manobo (8-9) at Meydan 1m 6f Grp 3 stks gd in Feb.
Square De Luynes (FR) (9-4) won at Bro Park 1m 4f in Sep beating Outbox (9-4) by 3l, 9 ran.
Valyrian Steel (IRE) (9-0) 6th of 9, 19 1/4l behind Lost Eden (9-0) at Jebel Ali 1m 2f lst stks fst in Feb.
Without A Fight (IRE) 11-4 (9-5) Made all, ridden 2f out, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 4f lst stks (1) gf in Sep beating Fox Tal (9-5) by 2 3/4l, 4 ran.
Iron Butterfly (SWE) (8-13) 8th of 12, 8 1/2l behind Royal Fleet (9-3) at Meydan 1m 2f Grp 3 stks in Feb.
Light Of Darkness (USA) (9-6) 10th of 16, 13 3/4l behind Valiant Prince (9-6) at Meydan 1m hcp gd in Feb.