Verdict

The veteran Sole Power has had great success in the past with the 2015 Al Quoz on this track, the 2013 King's Stand Stakes and the 2010 Nunthorpe being his most important victories. However, all of his dozen successes have been gained over the minimum trip. He was narrowly beaten by Fityaan in a Group 3 here in March and is 3lb better off though the latter, another who has never won over this trip, had a run last week. Roicead has a good record around here and goes well fresh while Final Venture was in excellent form last summer and a spin around Wolverhampton on Boxing Day will have put him spot-on. STEADY PACE was a smart juvenile sprinter and came here a year ago to land the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial over 7f. He was well beaten in the Guineas and didn't run up to scratch in the UK last summer but looks the type to do better and gets the nod.

Formwatch

Fityaan (9-0) 4th of 16, 2 1/2l behind Ertijaal (9-6) at Meydan 5f hcp gf in Jan.

Eastern Impact (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) In touch, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression when lost place well inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Caspian Prince (9-0) at Beverley 5f stks (3) gd in Sep.

Roicead (USA) (9-4) 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Sir Maximilian (9-3) at Meydan 5f hcp gd in Feb.

Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) 22-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, last of 6, 6 1/4l behind Latharnach (9-0) at Redcar 7f lst stks (1) gf in Oct.

Naadirr (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Held up in last pair, headway on near side rail over 2f out, hung right and weakened under pressure over 1f out, 8th of 9, 8l behind Shalaa (9-1) at Ascot 6f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Oct.

Sole Power 3-1fav (9-0) Held up, headway under pressure over 1f out, never reached leaders and no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Easy Road (9-0) at Ascot 5f lst stks (1) sft in Oct.

Spirit Quartz (IRE) (8-10) 11th of 16, 6 1/2l behind Ertijaal (9-6) at Meydan 5f hcp gf in Jan.

Hawkesbury 15-8 (9-4) Held up behind, headway 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, just failed for 2nd, no impression with winner, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Chookie Royale (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f stks (2) pol in Dec.

Final Venture 8-1 (9-4) Dwelt, raced keenly and soon chased leaders on inside, smooth headway travelling well 2f out, 2nd well over 1f out until over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, lost 3rd final strides, 4th of 6, 4 1/4l behind Spring Loaded (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f stks (2) pol in Dec.

Roi De Vitesse (IRE) (8-8) 13th of 16, 7 1/2l behind Ertijaal (9-6) at Meydan 5f hcp gf in Jan.

Watchable 33-1 (9-6) Raced keenly, led on near side rail, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 18, 11 3/4l behind Librisa Breeze (9-9) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) sft in Oct.

Jamesie (IRE) 7-2 (9-11) Tracked leader in 3rd, driven over 2f out, dropped to 4th 1 1/2f out, no extra over 1f out, last of 7, 3 1/4l behind Dont Bother Me (9-11) at Dundalk 6f pol in Sep.

Polybius 9-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, pushed along halfway, hung right under pressure and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 4 3/4l behind Easy Road (9-0) at Ascot 5f lst stks (1) sft in Oct.

Speed Hawk (USA) (9-0) 11th of 0, 13 1/2l behind Morawij (9-0) at Jebel Ali 5f lst stks fst in Mar.

Steady Pace 13-2 (9-5) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, last of 3, 7l behind Basil Berry (8-9) at Yarmouth 6f stks (3) gf in Sep.

Hermano Menor (AUS) (8-13) 9th of 4, 2 1/2l behind Infantry (9-3) at Kranji 7f gd in Nov.