The UAE 1000 Guineas and Oaks winner POLAR RIVER, runner-up in the Derby here on World Cup night, is suited by the race conditions. Doug Watson's filly will be warming up for something much bigger and has plenty in hand on official ratings. Her stable companion Grand Argentier won a decent handicap here in February and is another likely to be placed to good effect. Top Clearance won a handicap here in January but was well beaten when tackling Group 3 company in March while the former John Gosden inmate Tempus Temporis doesn't look quite good enough for this but looks the type to win races this winter. The former Mark Johnston-trained Heavy Metal has managed to win eight times including on his debut after a break here early last year when he had Ennobled Friend just behind though both should do better in handicap company.
Polar River (USA) 8-13 (8-5) Mid-division, not much room 400m out, ran on final 300m nearest finish, 2nd of 0, 3/4l behind Lani (8-9) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 1f Grp 2 (1) in Mar.
Ennobled Friend (USA) (9-2) 14th of 16, 10 3/4l behind Carry On Deryck (9-1) at Meydan 1m hcp gd in Feb.
Tempus Temporis (USA) 15-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 7, 3/4l behind Bravo Zolo (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Top Clearance (USA) (9-0) 6th of 8, 10 3/4l behind Cool Cowboy (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 3 stks (1) fst in Mar.
Fencing (USA) (9-0) 9th of 10, 33 1/2l behind Tamarkuz (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 3 stks (1) fst in Feb.
Grand Argentier (FR) (8-13) 7th of 11, 8 1/2l behind Etijaah (8-13) at Al Ain 1m fst in Mar.
Heavy Metal (9-2) 9th of 8, 26 3/4l behind Shaishee (9-2) at Jebel Ali 7f stks fst in Mar.
Kanaf (IRE) (8-13) 5th of 10, 9 1/2l behind Beachy Head (8-9) at Jebel Ali 7f hcp fst in Nov.
Need To Know (SAF) (8-12) 6th of 15, 5 1/4l behind Shamaal Nibras (8-12) at Abu Dhabi 1m stks gd in Nov.
Strong Chemistry 5-1 (8-12) Steadied start, took keen hold, held up, headway near side tracking leaders 4f out, pushed along and hung badly left over 2f out, soon behind, continued to hang left and not run on, eased final furlong, tailed off, last of 8, 27 1/4l behind Windfast (9-10) at Newbury 7f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
