Dave Simcock looks to have acquired a very useful performer for the Carnival in the shape of BEYOND EMPIRE, three times a winner in the USA on Dirt surfaces. He should be ready for this and looks well enough handicapped to make a successful start. Storm Belt went up 7lb for a very comprehensive victory here in November and only just failed to peg back stablemate Cooptado last month. He's proved himself on the surface and should get into the action. Energia Davos wasn't beaten far in any of his three starts here a year ago and will be ready for this after being narrowly beaten by stablemate Grendisar in a Listed event at Lingfield. Le Bernardin has been staying on over slightly shorter so this should help him get into the action while Pinzolo won a Listed contest at Newmarket in May and has been placed at that level in his last two starts. Famous Kid has won half of his six starts including his only Polytrack run at Kempton but Zain Eagle's best form has been on Turf.
Storm Belt (USA) (9-3) 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Cooptado (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f 3yo Listed stks (1) in Dec.
Energia Davos (BRZ) 6-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Grendisar (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f Listed stks (1) pol in Dec.
Castle Guest (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Tracked leader in 3rd and 2nd, 2nd 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, no extra, last of 9, 22l behind Chance To Dance (9-12) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp gf in Jul.
Duke Derby (IRE) (9-4) won at Jagersro(SWE) 1m 5f stks (3yo+) in Nov, 7 ran.
Le Bernardin (USA) 12-1 (9-2) 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind I'm Back (8-10) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f hcp.
Pinzolo 2-1fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Energia Fribby (8-9) at Chester 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gd in Sep.
Beyond Empire (USA) 4-5fav (8-8) Wedged,bump 1/8-1/16, won at Saratoga(USA) 1m 1f all stks in Aug beating Gridley Here (8-3) by nk, 6 ran.
Famous Kid (USA) 12-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 17th of 24, 20l behind Farquhar (8-5) at Newmarket 1m 4f her hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Oct.
Zain Eagle 5-2fav (9-13) Hung left throughout, led, pushed along over 2f out, driven and headed 2f out, soon lost 2nd, 3rd and one pace when hung left over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 7l behind Forgotten Hero (9-6) at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Jul.
Layali Al Andalus 12-1 (8-11) 5th of 10, 13l behind Henry Clay (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp in Dec.
