Heavy Metal won this by almost 10 lengths in 2018 then beat Muntazah in the Godolphin Mile but the latter landed this in great style a year ago from Secret Ambition and is primed for another crack after a pipe-opener last month. However, this looks a stronger renewal with his stable companion QUIP one of several dangers and likely to be suited by the fact that several of his rivals are front-runners. A Grade 2 winner at Oakland in April, he's a real Dirt specialist while the former Mark Johnston-trained Matterhorn, seven times an all-weather winner, should adapt to the surface. Jane Chapple-Hyam's much-travelled Ambassadorial only just failed to make all and concede Midnight Sands 10lb on his debut here last month while Capezzano's spectacular victory over Thunder Snow in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge in March was one of the highlight's of last year's Carnival.
Thegreatcollection (USA) (9-6) 4th of 16, 6 3/4l behind Midnight Sands (8-9) at Meydan 1m hcp gd in Jan.
Matterhorn (IRE) 7-2fav (9-3) Prominent, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Feliciana De Vega (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Secret Ambition (9-0) 2nd of 7, shd behind Kimbear (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 2 gd in Jan.
Fight On (USA) (9-6) 3rd of 9, 5 1/2l behind Plata O Plomo (9-1) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Jan.
Capezzano (USA) 2-1fav (9-0) last of 12, 32 1/4l behind Thunder Snow (9-0) at Meydan 1m 2f Grp 1 fst in Mar.
Walking Thunder (USA) (9-1) 8th of 9, 16 1/2l behind Gladiator King (9-1) at Meydan 6f Grp 3 stks gd in Jan.
Ambassadorial (USA) (9-5) 2nd of 16, shd behind Midnight Sands (8-9) at Meydan 1m hcp gd in Jan.
Quip (USA) 2-1fav (8-13) Fought restraint,empty, 6th of 10, 9 3/4l behind Mocito Rojo (8-9) at Churchill Downs 1m 1f stks fst in Sep.
Muntazah (9-0) 4th of 7, 9 1/4l behind Kimbear (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 2 gd in Jan.
Heavy Metal (9-0) last of 7, 37 1/4l behind Kimbear (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 2 gd in Jan.
