BENBATL was in brilliant form here in 2018, winning this on his debut and ending with an easy victory in the Group 1 Dubai Turf. He's subsequently won Group 1's in Germany and Australia plus a Group 2 at Newmarket and can't be opposed. He's 13lb clear of next-best, his stable companion Dream Castle, who completed a hat-trick here last winter including this race and the Group 1 Jebel Hatta. He had a couple of runs in Australia in October but showed nothing and should do much better back on more familiar territory. Majestic Mambo was beaten 7l in the Jebel Hatta and could only finish second in a conditions' race in April while For The Top, a Grade 1 winner in Argentina, showed nothing in the USA during the summer. Gm Hopkins and Famous Wolf have a mountain to climb on official ratings.
Majestic Mambo (SAF) 7-2 (9-6) 2nd of 16, nk behind Ajwad (9-2) at Meydan 1m 2f stks gd in Apr.
For The Top (ARG) 45-1 (8-12) Pulled btwn,gave way, last of 10, 32 3/4l behind Higher Power (8-12) at Del Mar 1m 2f stks fst in Aug.
Benbatl 7-2fav (9-4) Chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, eased, last of 16, dist behind King Of Change (9-1) at Ascot 1m Grp 1 stks (1) hvy in Oct.
Gm Hopkins (9-2) 4th of 0, 3 1/2l behind Taamol (9-2) at Abu Dhabi 1m gd in Dec.
Famous Wolf (FR) (9-2) 3rd of 0, 1 1/2l behind at Frauenfeld 1m 4f in Jun.
Dream Castle (9-4) 11th of 0, 13 3/4l behind at Moonee Valley 1m Grp 2 gd in Oct.
