It didn't look the best Trial for this ever run when ZANZAMAR beat Splash Point and Bridgefield three weeks ago but the winner scored on merit and looked the type to be much better suited by today's extra furlong. It doesn't appear likely that the placed horses can reverse the form while fifth-placed Krypton Factor has done better in sprints though he did stay on well over 7f on a subsequent start though that was in a moderate grade. Abjer was an extremely progressive youngster last year, gaining a shock victory in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Ascot in October. He couldn't handle heavy ground in Italy on his final start but will have been primed for action by Clive Brittain. Paulinho won a Grade 1 in Argentina last summer and looked badly in need of the run here at the end of December and though that wasn't a particularly strong race he is a class-act and looks a big threat. It's difficult to know what to make of Buffum, a maiden winner on Dirt at Belmont before beaten a very long way in a Grade 2 at Aqueduct.
