This looks a tremendous trial for the Dubai World Cup. Hunter's Light arrived here from France a year ago to capture this race then the Group 1 Round 3 of the same event when Prince Bishop finished third and Surfer fourth. He started favourite for the World Cup but wasn't at his best and has since raced exclusively at the highest level. Godolphin jockey arrangements can be misleading but the fact that William Buick is on board suggests he might just need the run. AFRICAN STORY, who was just in front of him in the World Cup, hasn't run since but has a tremendous record returning from a break and is handed the vote. The South African Group 1 winner Heavy Metal will have needed his run behind Anaerobia two weeks ago while Battle Of Marengo, a close fourth in the Epsom Derby, is an exciting addition to the string of UAE champion trainer Ernst Oertel. The much travelled 2011 Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden adds lustre to a sparkling line-up, though he generally just needs his opening run of the campaign.
Zahee (NZ) 7-2 (9-1) won at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp in Jan beating Gold City (8-11) by 1l, 11 ran.
Dunaden (FR) 9-1 (9-0) 3rd of 12, 1l behind Dominant (9-0) at Sha Tin(HK) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Dec.
Interpret (USA) 10-1 (9-0) won at Jebel Ali(UAE) 1m 2f 3yo Listed stks in Jan beating Mutajare (9-0) by nk, 8 ran.
Empire Storm (GER) 25-1 (9-0) 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Shuruq (8-9) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Group 2 sks (1) in Jan.
Zain Shamardal (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp in Jan beating Alnashmy (9-0) by shd, 16 ran.
Zambucca (SAF) 40-1 (9-0) 11th of 12, 12l behind Mujaarib (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jan.
Prince Bishop (IRE) 5-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, hard ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, eased over 1f out, virtually pulled up, last of 8, well behind Cubanita (9-0) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) hvy in Oct.
Hunter's Light (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no chance with leading trio approaching final furlong, stayed on to hold 4th in closing stages, 4th of 10, 7l behind Farhh (9-3) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct.
Heavy Metal (SAF) 9-1 (9-5) 10th of 14, 8l behind Anaerobio (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jan.
Samurai Sword 25-1 (9-0) 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Shuruq (8-9) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Group 2 sks (1) in Jan.
Battle Of Marengo (IRE) 10-3 (9-2) 7th of 8, 6l behind Flintshire (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
African Story 8-1 (9-0) 5th of 12, 7l behind Animal Kingdom (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Mar.
Artigiano (USA) 11-2 (8-13) 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Mushreq (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Listed stks (1) std in Jan.
Mutajare (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) 3rd of 10, hd behind Windhoek (8-10) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp in Jan.
Surfer (USA) 15-8fav (9-0) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 3yo stks in Dec beating Mufarrh (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Prince Alzain (USA) 5-2fav (9-2) In touch, headway between horses over 1f out, led just inside final furlong, edged right and ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f Listed stks (1) pol in Nov beating Bancnuanaheireann (9-2) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
