Caspian Prince won this a year ago from Hototo but both are drawn out wide this time as is Fityaan, who wasn't beaten too far in sixth. Medicean Man was a close fifth and has the best of the draw this time so the veteran is expected to go well after his victory in a hot handicap at Chelmsford. Michael Halford does well with his sprinters here and Toscanini is respected despite an absence since October while Mirza, a regular at Group 1 level, is another who hasn't been seen since the autumn. Roicead was the surprise winner of a handicap here last month and though not doing so well over an extra furlong on Dirt subsequently has to be considered from his inside berth. MUBTAGHAA, a triple winner for William Haggas, had a pipe-opener a fortnight ago which should have put him spot-on and he's taken to reverse form with stable companion Fityaan, who finished runner-up.
Toscanini (IRE) 13-8fav (9-5) Dwelt, soon raced 3rd, almost on terms halfway, joined leader over 2f out, soon ridden, dropped to 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 7l behind Fort Del Oro (9-0) at Curragh 6f lst stks (1) gd in Oct.
Roicead (USA) (9-6) 5th of 6, 10 3/4l behind Kifaah (8-13) at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Jan.
Stepper Point 11-2 (9-6) 5th of 8, 4l behind Roicead (9-1) at Meydan 5f hcp gf in Jan.
Hototo 16-1 (9-3) last of 15, 12 1/4l behind Ertijaal (9-6) at Meydan 5f hcp gd in Feb.
Medicean Man 10-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway approaching final furlong, led inside final furlong, ridden and ran on(new course record), won at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (2) pol in Nov beating Brother Tiger (8-6) by 1l, 12 ran.
Mirza 50-1 (9-10) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on, never dangerous, 6th of 18, 2 3/4l behind Goldream (9-10) at Longchamp 5f Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
Sir Maximilian (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) 6th of 15, 4 1/4l behind Ertijaal (9-6) at Meydan 5f hcp gd in Feb.
Caspian Prince (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) 8th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Ertijaal (9-6) at Meydan 5f hcp gd in Feb.
Mubtaghaa (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) 7th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Ertijaal (9-6) at Meydan 5f hcp gd in Feb.
Roi De Vitesse (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) 3rd of 15, 2 3/4l behind Ertijaal (9-6) at Meydan 5f hcp gd in Feb.
Speed Hawk (USA) 16-1 (8-13) 5th of 15, 3l behind Ertijaal (9-6) at Meydan 5f hcp gd in Feb.
Green Door (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) 10th of 15, 5 3/4l behind Ertijaal (9-6) at Meydan 5f hcp gd in Feb.
Demora 11-2 (8-10) last of 8, 6 1/2l behind Roicead (9-1) at Meydan 5f hcp gf in Jan.
Fityaan 25-1 (8-7) 2nd of 15, 2l behind Ertijaal (9-6) at Meydan 5f hcp gd in Feb.