First Down had the fast-finishing SPIRIT OF SCOTLAND a neck behind over Jebel Ali's straight 7f on Friday when Ticket Holder and Mankind had every chance in fourth and fifth. The runner-up would have won in a few more strides so the extra furlong is certain to suit and he can take his revenge. The winner's yard is also represented by Heraldic, who completed a double here at the turn of the year though over 1m3f. Naaeebb has run some good races in defeat over the winter at this sort of level and has a course and distance victory to his credit though stall 15 isn't in his favour. Guernsey has run well in his four recent starts though all have been over shorter.
Glorious Poet 6-1 (9-7) Not much room soon after start, in rear, headway on outside over 5f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 22 3/4l behind Choral Music (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Heraldic (USA) 18-1 (8-5) 4th of 9, 7 1/4l behind Dehbashi (9-8) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Mar.
Nizaal 16-1 (8-9) 8th of 16, 9 3/4l behind Aridity (8-8) at Jebel Ali 1m hcp fst in Feb.
Guernsey (USA) 7-1 (8-13) 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Iftitah (9-6) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Mar.
Spirit Of Scotland (USA) 9-1 (9-6) 2nd of 16, nk behind First Down (9-3) at Jebel Ali 7f hcp fst in Mar.
Tobaco (ARG) 14-1 (9-0) 6th of 14, 11 1/4l behind Iftitah (9-6) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Mar.
Town's History (USA) 33-1 (8-10) 14th of 16, 21 1/4l behind Aridity (8-8) at Jebel Ali 1m hcp fst in Feb.
First Down (USA) 10-3fav (9-3) won at Jebel Ali 7f hcp fst in Mar beating Spirit Of Scotland (9-6) by nk, 16 ran.
Island Sound 28-1 (9-2) 7th of 16, 9 1/2l behind Arroway (9-5) at Jebel Ali 1m hcp fst in Feb.
Jazirat (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) 10th of 16, 13l behind Arroway (9-5) at Jebel Ali 1m hcp fst in Feb.
Naaeebb (USA) 16-1 (8-7) 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Iftitah (9-6) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Mar.
Mankind (FR) 12-1 (9-5) 5th of 16, 5 3/4l behind First Down (9-3) at Jebel Ali 7f hcp fst in Mar.
Druids Ridge (9-11) last of 15, 26 1/2l behind Midlander (9-8) at Al Ain 5f fst in Mar.
One Season (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) last of 16, dist behind Arroway (9-5) at Jebel Ali 1m hcp fst in Feb.
Ticket Holder (USA) 22-1 (9-3) 4th of 16, 4 1/2l behind First Down (9-3) at Jebel Ali 7f hcp fst in Mar.
Silent Assassin (IRE) (8-13) 7th of 15, 12l behind Midlander (9-8) at Al Ain 5f fst in Mar.
Bedaveeya (USA) 25-1 (9-7) 6th of 16, 6 1/2l behind First Down (9-3) at Jebel Ali 7f hcp fst in Mar.
Poetic Steps (FR) (9-6) 9th of 16, 19 1/2l behind Dangerous Thought (9-7) at Sharjah 6f fst in Feb.
Strong Chemistry 12-1 (9-1) 14th of 16, 15 1/4l behind First Down (9-3) at Jebel Ali 7f hcp fst in Mar.
Imperial Past (8-8) 8th of 15, 12l behind Midlander (9-8) at Al Ain 5f fst in Mar.