Top Score was in winning form at last year's Carnival and ran very well in the UK last summer. He returned with another fine run in a handicap and though unable to cope with Group 2 company last time was by no means disgraced. Mazzini is on a four-timer having followed narrow victories at Yarmouth and Kempton with a winning start over 5f here where he had the smart Hit The Bid a neck behind. He's up another 5lb but it will be a surprise if he's not in contention. Dream Today dropped down to this trip for the first time ever last month and came with a late burst to land a lucrative handicap in a bunched finish. There's no reason why he shouldn't go well again with just 3lb extra though it wasn't a race run at a hectic pace and Alfredo Arcano, who was beaten less than a length in fourth, can reverse positions with a stronger gallop more likely. IBN MALIK has twice finished close behind the very smart Drafted in recent weeks and though those runs were on Dirt he's equally effective on Turf so gets the vote in a tricky handicap.
Top Score 11-4 (9-0) 5th of 13, 4l behind D'bai (9-0) at Meydan 7f Grp 2 stks gd in Jan.
Intisaab 20-1 (9-0) last of 13, 19 1/4l behind D'bai (9-0) at Meydan 7f Grp 2 stks gd in Jan.
Another Batt (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) 8th of 13, 5 1/2l behind D'bai (9-0) at Meydan 7f Grp 2 stks gd in Jan.
Rebel Streak 16-1 (8-9) 5th of 8, 5 1/2l behind Mazzini (8-5) at Meydan 5f hcp gd in Jan.
High On Life 4-11fav (9-2) won at Jebel Ali 5f stks fst in Jan beating Shajjy (8-5) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Ibn Malik (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) 3rd of 6, 2l behind Drafted (9-0) at Meydan 6f Grp 3 stks fst in Jan.
Mazzini 16-1 (8-5) won at Meydan 5f hcp gd in Jan beating Hit The Bid (9-3) by nk, 8 ran.
Dream Today (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) won at Meydan 6f hcp gd in Jan beating Abrantes (8-11) by shd, 12 ran.
Glenamoy Lad 10-3 (8-8) 6th of 12, 1 1/4l behind Dream Today (8-7) at Meydan 6f hcp gd in Jan.
Manahir (FR) 11-1 (9-10) 9th of 10, 32 1/4l behind Pinter (8-5) at Jebel Ali 7f hcp fst in Jan.
Alfredo Arcano (IRE) 10-1 (8-6) 4th of 12, nk behind Dream Today (8-7) at Meydan 6f hcp gd in Jan.
Double Up 10-1 (9-5) Held up, headway on inside over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Doctor Sardonicus (9-5) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (2) pol in Dec.