SHEA SHEA won this last year from his old adversary Sole Power before going on to land the Al Quoz Sprint. The latter reversed the form in the King's Stand Stakes under a brilliant Johnny Murtagh ride and the pair will be at the forefront of the betting on World Cup night. Mike De Kock had already got a run into his charge last year but this time he arrives after an absence, as does Sole Power, though he's the best sprinter in the race and can make a successful comeback. Catcall was headed right on the line by Maarek in the Abbaye though that was on soft ground. He had a nice prep run a couple of weeks ago so will strip fitter than his main rivals though the quick ground is a concern. Alsaaeqah and Beat Baby were separated by a short-head in a handicap in January and should go well again, though that form doesn't match that of the three principals.
Beat Baby (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) 2nd of 16, shd behind Alsaaeqah (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 5f hcp gd in Jan.
Catcall (FR) 3-1fav (9-6) 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Medicean Man (9-1) at Meydan(UAE) 5f hcp gd in Feb.
Roi De Vitesse (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Medicean Man (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 6f hcp in Feb.
Zee Bros (USA) 14-1 (9-2) 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Medicean Man (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 6f hcp in Feb.
Dux Scholar 8-1 (9-1) 2nd of 8, nk behind Kavanagh (9-1) at Meydan(UAE) 6f hcp gd.
Shea Shea (SAF) 3-1fav (9-11) Took keen hold, held up in touch in mid-division, headway halfway, chased leaders inside final furlong, strong challenge in 2nd well inside final furlong, not reach winner, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 17, 1/2l behind Jwala (9-8) at York 5f Grp 1 (1) gs in Aug.
Hototo 11-2 (8-13) 3rd of 10, 2l behind Medicean Man (9-1) at Meydan(UAE) 5f hcp gd in Feb.
Make It Reel (FR) 12-1 (9-0) 7th of 10, 10l behind My Catch (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 7f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in Feb.
Mundahesh (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) 11th of 13, 8l behind Tasaday (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f Listed stks gd in Feb.
My Catch (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) won at Meydan(UAE) 7f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in Feb beating Jallota (9-0) by 1l, 10 ran.
Alsaaeqah (SDA) 25-1 (9-2) won at Meydan(UAE) 5f hcp gd in Jan beating Beat Baby (9-6) by shd, 16 ran.
Ahtoug 11-2 (8-13) 2nd of 10, nk behind Medicean Man (9-1) at Meydan(UAE) 5f hcp gd in Feb.
Sole Power 16-1 (9-0) 2nd of 14, 5l behind Lord Kanaloa (9-0) at Sha Tin(HK) 6f Grp 1 (1) gd in Dec.
Russian Rock (IRE) 6-5fav (9-4) 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Sholaan (9-0) at Jebel Ali(UAE) 5f stks (3yo+) in Feb.
Abstraction (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) 8th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Medicean Man (9-1) at Meydan(UAE) 5f hcp gd in Feb.