Long Kiss is southern hemisphere-bred so has extra to carry though did make a winning debut here in November. The filly Perdika has completed a four-timer in minor company on the all-weather in the UK and this is a leap in class. Cosmic Kid has the highest international rating though his three victories have been in Turkey. Bay Of Plenty made a successful debut at Naas and was highly tried in two subsequent starts but Charlie Appleby has a strong hand with COURAGEOUS KNIGHT and Highbank. William Buick was on board when the former won an Epsom maiden in July and chooses him over the latter, who made a successful debut for the yard at Newmarket that same month. Three-times winner Felix Natalis looks just the type to do well here.
Long Kiss (BRZ) (9-6) 3rd of 8, 2l behind Seyouff (8-7) at Meydan 7f stks fst in Dec.
Cosmic Kid (TUR) (9-0) won at Istanbul 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Oct beating Anatolian Rock (9-0) by shd, 9 ran.
Al Khazneh (IRE) 17-2 (9-10) Led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra, 4th of 10, 7 1/2l behind Grey's Monument (9-5) at Haydock 7f (4) gs in Sep.
Bay Of Plenty (IRE) 22-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, pushed along on outer 2f out, soon ridden, went 5th 1f out, kept on without threatening in 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Cairo (9-5) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Courageous Knight 7-4fav (9-9) Dwelt, held up last on rail, switched right to outer over 2f out, headway under pressure chasing leaders over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Urban Sprawl (8-9) at Ascot 7f (2) gs in Sep.
Felix Natalis (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, plugged on in well held 3rd, 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Alpha Capture (9-3) at York 6f lst stks (1) gs in Oct.
Highbank (IRE) 11-8fav (9-11) Steadied start, held up tracking leaders and keen, headway and went 2nd 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Caragio (9-4) at Leicester 7f stks (4) gf in Oct.
Magic Petition (USA) (9-0) 2nd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Morning (9-0) at Meydan 6f mdn stks fst in Dec.
Tempesta D'oro (USA) (9-0) won at Abu Dhabi 1m gd in Dec beating Dubai West (8-9) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Alseyoob (IRE) (8-8) 6th of 8, 6 1/4l behind Seyouff (8-7) at Meydan 7f stks fst in Dec.
Perdika 7-4fav (9-9) Chased leader until over 5f out, closed going well 2f out, quickened to lead over 1f out, ran on well, ridden out, won at Kempton 7f (4) pol in Dec beating Master Of Chant (8-13) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
