Storm Belt was conceding Farrier 3lb when they finished aecond and third in this a year ago and is receiving that amount here. The latter arrives in winning form having scored at Jebel Ali last month but isn't certain to reverse the form with Pat Dobbs' mount. Jeeraan had little difficulty seeing off Torchlighter here a couple of weeks ago and should do so again but this should go to nine-times winner HAATHEQ, despite the fact he hasn't scored for two years. The eight-year-old hasn't competed at a trip this far for some time but was finding a mile too short in Group company at the end of last season and should do better over the extra. Special Fighter won some top prize-money in China in April and returned to action with a very good run in a handicap last month so he's entitled to respect.
Farrier (USA) (9-2) won at Jebel Ali 1m 1f stks fst in Nov beating Mawhub (9-2) by nk, 7 ran.
Haatheq (USA) 33-1 (9-0) 4th of 15, 2 1/4l behind Tamarkuz (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 2 pol in Mar.
Torchlighter (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) 2nd of 12, 2l behind Jeeraan (9-1) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Dec.
Special Fighter (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Etijaah (8-5) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Nov.
Busker (USA) (9-0) 5th of 11, 6 1/2l behind Forjatt (9-0) at Abu Dhabi 1m gd in Dec.
Jeeraan (USA) 9-2 (9-1) won at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Dec beating Torchlighter (9-0) by 2l, 12 ran.
Storm Belt (USA) (9-0) 5th of 0, 11l behind African Story (9-0) at Meydan 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) fst in Mar.
