Story Of Light finished second in this last year but didn't improve and this looks a stronger renewal. Coachello, three-times a winner in France, is now with Gordon Elliott and warmed up for this with a fine run at Lingfield. Shelir ended his UK season with a superb victory in the lucrative Balmoral Handicap at Ascot while Group 2 winner Al Suhail was only just beaten by Lord Glitters on his debut here in 2021. The latter's yard also run NOBLE TRUTH, whose latest run came at Royal Ascot where he won the Jersey Stakes and he gets the nod. Alfareeq would have to be a threat on his victory in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta here in March.
Al Salt (IRE) (9-2) 6th of 16, 7 1/2l behind San Donato (9-2) at Abu Dhabi 1m gd in Dec.
Al Suhail 13-2 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 7th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Rohaan (9-4) at Ascot 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Oct.
Alfareeq (IRE) (9-2) 2nd of 16, 2l behind San Donato (9-2) at Abu Dhabi 1m gd in Dec.
Bouttemont (IRE) (9-5) 6th of 11, 5 1/2l behind Fast Raaj (8-12) at Deauville 7f lst stks pol in Dec.
Coachello (FR) 10-1 (9-4) Held up, headway when short of room over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, never nearer, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Noble Dynasty (9-4) at Lingfield 7f stks (3) pol in Nov.
Dubai Mirage (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 15l behind Alflaila (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Oct.
Erzindjan (IRE) (9-2) 4th of 16, 6 1/2l behind San Donato (9-2) at Abu Dhabi 1m gd in Dec.
Fast Raaj (FR) (8-12) won at Deauville 7f lst stks pol in Dec beating Amilcar (8-12) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
La Barrosa (IRE) (9-0) last of 14, dist behind Naval Crown (9-0) at Meydan 7f Grp 2 stks fst in Jan.
Misty Grey (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Tracked winner, ridden and stayed on one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Pogo (9-5) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Oct.
Noble Truth (FR) 4-1fav (9-3) Quickly away, led and took field to near side rail and edged right throughout, narrowly headed inside final 2f, ridden to lead again 1f out, ran on gamely, won at Ascot 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jun beating Find (9-3) by 1l, 15 ran.
Rodaballo (9-11) won at La Zarzuela 7f sft in Nov beating Raiku (9-11) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Shelir (IRE) 80-1 (9-5) Towards rear of mid-division, going best waiting for room over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, soon good headway in between rivals, stayed on strongly to lead final 110yds, won at Ascot 1m hcp (2) gs in Oct beating Sweet Believer (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 20 ran.
Story Of Light (IRE) (9-0) 9th of 16, 10 1/2l behind Man Of Promise (9-0) at Meydan 6f Grp 3 fst in Mar.
Internationalangel (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Mid-division, closer chasing leaders 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace of winner, 3rd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Queen Aminatu (8-13) at Lingfield 1m lst fll stks (1) pol in Oct.
