The new Turf track comes into play for the first time. Ajeeb won four times in Australia before finishing runner-up at Grade 2 level. That was back in 2013 but his trainer will have him ready for this. AHTOUG (NAP) beat Hototo just over a length in this a year ago then went on to compete well in a higher grade. He doesn't look badly handicapped, despite a big weight, and can take this for Charlie Appleby. Hototo is better off at the weights but was twice behind the selection here in later races. Sir Maximilian went to Ireland four times last season and he came home with three victories, including two at Listed level. He's a smart sprinter on his day so has to be respected. The lightly-raced Speed Hawk will need to step up on last season's victories at Yarmouth and Bath but looks perfectly capable of doing so.
Ahtoug 11-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 8l behind Music Master (9-4) at Newbury 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul.
Ajeeb (NZ) (9-3) 9th of 10, 11l behind Fiorente (8-4) at Moonee Valley(AUS) 1m Grp 2 gd in Sep '13.
Sir Maximilian (IRE) 7-4fav (10-2) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, switched out entering straight, ridden 2f out, stayed on into 2nd 1f out, kept on well final furlong to lead close home, won at Dundalk 5f lst stks 2yo (1) pol in Oct beating Abstraction (9-13) by hd, 7 ran.
Hototo 16-1 (9-4) 6th of 13, 5l behind Shea Shea (9-4) at Meydan(UAE) 5f Grp 3 (1) gf in Mar.
Caspian Prince (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Led, headed when ridden over 1f out, no extra, lost place inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Pretend (8-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (2) in Dec.
Saayerr 7-2 (9-6) 3rd of 8, 5l behind Shamaal Nibras (8-9) at Jebel Ali(UAE) 7f hcp in Dec.
Ajjaadd (USA) 25-1 (8-9) Close up, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 19, 1 1/4l behind Dungannon (8-10) at Doncaster 5f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Speed Hawk (USA) 3-1fav (9-6) Dwelt towards rear, edged left and headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to lead inside final furlong, won at Yarmouth 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Sep beating Normal Equilibrium (8-9) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Fityaan (9-0) 3rd of 7, 7l behind Muarrab (9-0) at Jebel Ali(UAE) 6f Conditions Stakes (2yo+) in Dec.
Mushir (9-3) last of 7, 15l behind Muarrab (9-0) at Jebel Ali(UAE) 6f Conditions Stakes (2yo+) in Dec.