Star Empire won this last year when CERTERACH was close behind in third off level weights. The former made an eye-catching reappearance behind Sheikhzedroad over a trip much too short and that will have put him straight for a crack at completing the double. The selection could hardly have had a better preparation, coming with a late run to catch Topclas over 1m4f and running on strongly with the favourite Excellent Result not far behind and the consistent Jutland close up. The winner is back on the same mark as when runner-up in a Group 2 here in March with Star Empire and Tenenbaum just behind so looks the one to be on. Tenenbaum ran two poor races in the UK last summer but should do better back here. Manalapan tackles this trip for the first time but hasn't been stopping over middle distances while Statutory stays extreme distances and was last seen scoring over 2m2f at Pontefract by 14 lengths.
Star Empire (SAF) 11-1 (9-6) 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Sheikhzayedroad (9-3) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp std in Jan.
Without Fear (FR) 25-1 (9-6) last of 12, 21l behind Gabrial (9-4) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f hcp 0-110 gd in Jan.
Certerach (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f hcp 105 gd in Jan beating Topclas (9-4) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Jutland 12-1 (9-6) 5th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Certerach (9-4) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f hcp 105 gd in Jan.
Tenenbaum 15-2 (9-13) Led, pushed along over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon lost 2nd, weakened over 1f out, virtually pulled up final furlong, last of 6, well behind Camborne (10-0) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-110 (2) gs in Sep.
Balladry (USA) 33-1 (9-6) 5th of 12, 10l behind Cat O'Mountain (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 3f hcp in Jan.
Manalapan (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) 5th of 10, 1 1/4l behind Windhoek (8-10) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp in Jan.
Thecornishcockney 16-1 (9-4) 13th of 14, 24l behind Certerach (9-4) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f hcp 105 gd in Jan.
Tanfeeth 14-1 (9-2) 3rd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Certerach (9-4) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f hcp 105 gd in Jan.
Statutory (IRE) 4-9fav (8-5) Keen early made all, unchallenged, won at Pontefract 2m 2f cond Stakes (3) gd in Oct beating Mutual Regard (9-3) by 14l, 4 ran.
Ralston Road (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) 7th of 12, 19l behind Cat O'Mountain (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 3f hcp in Jan.
Excellent Result (IRE) 10-3fav (8-11) 4th of 14, 2l behind Certerach (9-4) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f hcp 105 gd in Jan.
Great Hall 16-1 (8-13) 9th of 12, 22l behind Cat O'Mountain (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 3f hcp in Jan.
Jedi 33-1 (8-10) 11th of 14, 10l behind Certerach (9-4) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f hcp 105 gd in Jan.
Handsome Man (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) 9th of 14, 6l behind Certerach (9-4) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f hcp 105 gd in Jan.
