Doug Watson has a very strong hand here with three entries, any one of who could take this though Nathr will need to improve a bit to get involved after a poor reappearance. GRAND ARGENTIER had stable companion Galvanize over two lengths behind when scoring over an extended 1m1f here in February and made a very promising reappearance a month ago under an apprentice. Pat Dobbs takes over and the partnership can come up trumps. Ennobled Friend finished runner-up in a Group 3 over the track and trip in February but was beaten a long way and never really replicated that form. Direct Message won in the USA and showed up quite well in a couple of better races here last month and should be ready to roll.
Nathr (USA) 11-4fav (9-2) 9th of 14, 28 1/4l behind Trinity Force (8-5) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Nov.
Ennobled Friend (USA) (9-2) 5th of 11, 7l behind Cosmo Charlie (9-4) at Meydan 1m fst in Nov.
Grand Argentier (FR) 12-1 (9-0) 3rd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Trinity Force (8-5) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Nov.
Hornsby 4-1 (9-6) Raced far side, went right start, in touch, headway 2f out, soon every chance, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 9 1/4l behind Musdam (8-10) at Ascot 7f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Cross Grain (IRE) (9-0) 11th of 16, 5 1/2l behind Akeed Champion (9-0) at Abu Dhabi 7f lst stks gd in Feb.
Albernathy 9-1 (8-8) Always in rear far side, 15th of 17, 9 1/4l behind Oh This Is Us (9-5) at Doncaster 7f hcp (2) gf in Nov.
Sharp Defence (USA) 25-1 (9-5) 6th of 14, 6 1/2l behind Thegreatcollection (9-5) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Nov.
Galvanize (USA) 12-1 (8-8) won at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Nov beating Munaaser (9-1) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Direct Message (USA) (8-5) 4th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Cosmo Charlie (9-4) at Meydan 1m fst in Nov.
Ajraam (USA) 14-1 (9-1) 7th of 14, 6 3/4l behind Thegreatcollection (9-5) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Nov.
