ROCK COCKTAIL, runner-up in a Grade 2 at Greyville and a regular winner in South Africa, made a very encouraging debut here when a close fourth behind stablemate Umgiyo. That was his first outing for well over a year and he's taken to defy a big weight. Pilote was very close behind in fifth and has since run well in a better race so he's a threat as is Belgian Bill, who had subsequent winner Dark Emerald behind when making a successful return to the track over a mile last month. George Baker's charge has run well over this trip here in the past and looks booked for a place on the podium. Sennockian Star has been a bit disappointing so far but the Ayr Listed winner shouldn't be written off nor should Slumdogmillionaire, a dual Grade 1 winner in South Africa who is slowly making his way back after a long absence. Tha'ir didn't act on Dirt three weeks ago but won on Tapeta from just 1lb higher a year ago.
Rock Cocktail (AUS) 14-1 (9-1) 4th of 10, 3l behind Umgiyo (8-13) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f hcp std in Jan.
Slumdogmillionaire (SAF) 16-1 (9-1) 3rd of 16, 2 1/4l behind Samurai Sword (9-1) at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp fst.
Belgian Bill 9-1 (9-2) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp gd in Jan beating Dark Emerald (9-2) by nk, 16 ran.
Pilote (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Hunter's Light (9-6) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp gd in Jan.
Sennockian Star 16-1 (8-13) 10th of 13, 8l behind Hunter's Light (9-6) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp gd in Jan.
Van Rooney (USA) 25-1 (8-10) 11th of 16, 5l behind Samurai Sword (9-1) at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp fst.
Berling (IRE) 40-1 (9-2) 11th of 14, 11l behind Al Saham (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f hcp std in Jan.
Ottoman Empire (FR) 16-1 (9-0) 7th of 10, 7l behind Haafaguinea (9-1) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp gd in Jan.
Scighera 14-1 (8-9) last of 13, 16l behind Hunter's Light (9-6) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp gd in Jan.
Almoonqith (USA) 10-1 (8-9) 5th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Hunter's Light (9-6) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp gd in Jan.
Avon Pearl 16-1 (8-13) 8th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Samurai Sword (9-1) at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp fst.
Tha'ir (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) 11th of 13, 43l behind Toolain (8-5) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp in Jan.
Ukrainian (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) 9th of 13, 5l behind Mutual Force (8-7) at Jebel Ali(UAE) 1m 1f hcp.
Silent Bullet (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) 9th of 14, 15l behind Faulkner (8-13) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp in Jan.
Earth Drummer (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) 3rd of 14, 1/2l behind Al Saham (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f hcp std in Jan.
Elusive Time (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Led, ridden under 3f out, headed 2f out, soon no extra, 7th of 9, 9l behind Sun On The Run (9-7) at Cork 1m Listed stks (1) sft in Oct.
Plantagenet (SPA) (9-4) 10th of 15, 13l behind Bank Of Burden (9-6) at Ovrevoll(NOR) 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) hvy in Aug.
Saxo Jack (FR) 9-1 (8-13) 6th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Al Saham (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f hcp std in Jan.