This is supposedly a trial for the World Cup in three week's time but it looks a 'soft' Group 1 in which Roman Rosso, Saltarin Dubai and New Trails were unplaced a year ago. However, most of the runners are in good form with SALUTE THE SOLDIER just getting the nod after his victory over Thegreatcollection in Round 2 of the event when Firnas, Quip and Dubai Mirage were all behind. The latter has his first start on this surface though did make a successful debut on Polytrack at Kempton. Secret Ambition was a couple of lengths behind Thegreatcollection in December but improved enough to comfortably beat Hypothetical last month and the latter gave the form a boost a fortnight later so Satish Seemar's charge could provide the main threat.
Dubai Mirage (IRE) (9-4) 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Bright Melody (9-5) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp gd in Feb.
Firnas (9-0) 5th of 9, 4l behind Salute The Soldier (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 2 fst in Feb.
Hypothetical (IRE) (9-4) won at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Feb beating Bright Start (8-5) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
New Trails (USA) (9-1) won at Meydan 1m 2f hcp lst stks fst in Feb beating Dubai Icon (9-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Quip (USA) (9-0) 6th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Salute The Soldier (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 2 fst in Feb.
Roman Rosso (ARG) (9-0) 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Military Law (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 2 stks fst in Jan.
Saltarin Dubai (ARG) (9-0) won at Jebel Ali 1m 2f lst stks (1) fst in Feb beating Tailor's Row (9-0) by ns, 12 ran.
Salute The Soldier (GER) (9-0) won at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 2 fst in Feb beating Thegreatcollection (9-0) by 1l, 9 ran.
Secret Ambition (9-0) won at Meydan 1m Grp 3 stks (1) in Feb beating Hypothetical (9-0) by 3 3/4l, 6 ran.
Tailor's Row (USA) (9-6) 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind New Trails (9-1) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp lst stks fst in Feb.
Thegreatcollection (USA) (9-0) 2nd of 9, 1l behind Salute The Soldier (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 2 fst in Feb.