ONE MAN BAND was in superb form here a year ago and has returned to his very best, making all for very impressive victories over a mile. He's won just as easily over today's trip and will obviously take some catching. Hunting Ground had been plying his trade in handicaps over longer trips in the UK before arriving here last January and storming to a comfortable victory over the course and distance. He's on an 11lb higher mark here and this looks more difficult. Artigiano was placed in similar handicaps to this early last year and Charlie Appleby will have him ready while Saeed Bin Suroor's Emirates Flyer, has the stand-out form on his third in the 2014 UAE Derby and could provide the main threat. Majeed has won five times on Polytrack so there's no reason why he won't be suited by this surface.
One Man Band (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) won at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Dec beating Lanark (8-11) by 7l, 6 ran.
Artigiano (USA) 8-1 (9-2) 3rd of 15, at Meydan 1m 2f hcp pol in Feb.
Hunting Ground (USA) 7-2 (9-5) won at Meydan 1m 2f hcp pol in Jan beating Cry Joy (8-8) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Romansh (USA) 7-2 (9-5) 6th of 9, 14l behind Interpret (9-5) at Jebel Ali 1m 1f stks fst in Mar.
Emirates Flyer 11-2 (9-0) 3rd of 0, 3 3/4l behind Henry Clay (8-13) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Feb.
Mawhub (9-2) 4th of 0, 3 3/4l behind Sefri (8-9) at Jebel Ali 1m 1f stks fst in Dec.
Beach Bar (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Taken to post early, led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 5, 9 3/4l behind You're Fired (9-7) at Nottingham 1m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Majeed 7-2fav (9-10) Held up in rear, smooth headway over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Sep beating Bint Dandy (9-5) by 1l, 8 ran.
Alabaster (USA) 30-1 (8-5) Stlk rail,bid 1/4,falt, 7th of 8, 8 1/2l behind Tiz Shea D (8-5) at Indiana Grand Race Course 1m stks (1) fst in Jul.
