The exasperating EARNSHAW (NAP) is back to his best trip and the handicapper has finally loosened his grip. He'll be staying on late as usual but this time there looks every chance that he'll get there from his lowest ever mark. Mountain Hunter was in fine form here last winter, landing a tough handicap and finishing runner-up in another. He hasn't run since finishing almost last in the Cambridgeshire and could just need the outing. Godolphin have five other entries in the race and High End is one to note on his first start for over a year as he completed a hat-trick in his opening runs in 2017. Celestial Spheres is another of the owner's entries and he's won four times for them in the UK while while Buhwarui Banseok has scored eight times in Korea. Harlan Strong looks the main threat if the selection starts slowly again. Kenny McPeak's colt has caught the eye in his work since arriving here and this isn't the toughest of starts.
Earnshaw (USA) 14-1 (9-6) 7th of 9, 6l behind Bin Battuta (9-1) at Meydan 1m 4f stks gd in Jan.
Jaaref (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) last of 9, 6 1/4l behind Bin Battuta (9-1) at Meydan 1m 4f stks gd in Jan.
Mountain Hunter (USA) 33-1 (9-8) Raced centre, mid-division, driven halfway, weakened over 2f out, 31st of 33, dist behind Wissahickon (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Nordic Lights 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, led after 1f and set even pace, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, soon lost 2nd, chased leaders, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 16, 7 1/4l behind Hunting Horn (9-0) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Dark Red (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway on outside over 3f out, not quicken over 1f out, edged right and one pace inside final furlong, bumped towards finish, 10th of 15, 5 1/2l behind Alfarris (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
First Nation 8-1 (9-8) Held up in mid-division on inside, pushed along over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to threaten, 4th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Buzz (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Harlan Strong (ARG) 55-1 (8-9) 5path 1/4, moved up, 6th of 11, 6 1/2l behind Zulu Alpha (8-9) at Keeneland 1m 4f stks gd in Oct.
Buhwarui Banseok (USA) (9-0) 13th of 16, 17 1/4l behind Triple Nine (9-0) at Seoul 1m 3f pol in Dec.
Celestial Spheres (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Held up, headway and switched right approaching final furlong, stayed on one pace, 4th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Grey Britain (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in May.
Big Challenge (IRE) 10-3 (8-7) 8th of 9, 6 1/4l behind Bin Battuta (9-1) at Meydan 1m 4f stks gd in Jan.
High End 6-1 (9-7) Went right start, in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 14th of 16, 16 1/2l behind First Nation (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
