ERTIJAAL, a winner at Grade 1 level in South Africa, made a sparkling debut here last month when only headed in the closing stages by stable companion Forries Waltz. This is his handicap debut and he'll be very difficult to beat despite a big weight. Let's Go won three out of five for Godolphin in the UK and started odds-on for his debut here last month but fluffed his lines and could only finish fifth. He's likely to have come on for the run but will need to have as Top Clearance looks a big threat to the selection after a very smart introduction here where he beat American Hope, who runs earlier, with a strong late burst. Cat O'Mountain won a tough handicap here last January and subsequently raced in better company.
Ertijaal (AUS) 5-2 (9-1) Tracked leading trio, ridden 600m out, led 300m out, headed 200m ouit, ran on well, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Forries Waltz (9-1) at Meydan 1m 1f (1) gf in Jan.
Let's Go (USA) (9-6) 5th of 6, 8 1/4l behind Special Fighter (9-4) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp fst in Jan.
Faulkner 10-1 (9-1) Settled rear, ran on final 400m but no chance with first two, 3rd of 9, 7 3/4l behind Frosted (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f (1) fst in Feb.
Cat O'Mountain (USA) 7-4fav (9-6) 9th of 10, 28 1/4l behind Munaaser (9-1) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Jan.
Long River (USA) 66-1 (9-0) Always in rear, 6th of 7, 4 3/4l behind Confrontation (9-0) at Meydan 1m stks (1) fst in Feb.
Top Clearance (USA) 9-2 (9-0) won at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Jan beating American Hope (9-0) by 1l, 14 ran.
Artigiano (USA) 7-1 (9-2) 4th of 9, 2 3/4l behind One Man Band (9-4) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp fst in Jan.
Prince Alzain (USA) 20-1 (9-0) 9th of 10, dist behind Tamarkuz (9-3) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Jan.
Plantagenet (SPA) (8-11) 2nd of 6, 5l behind Special Fighter (9-4) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp fst in Jan.
Vortex (NOR) 33-1 (8-8) 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Fanciful Angel (9-0) at Meydan 1m hcp gf in Jan.
Respect Me 12-1 (9-5) won at Meydan 1m 1f hcp fst in Jan beating Etijaah (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Tiz Now Tiz Then (USA) 7-2fav (8-10) 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Top Clearance (9-0) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Jan.
Bedale 50-1 (8-5) last of 13, dist behind Battersea (8-5) at Meydan 1m 6f hcp gd in Feb.
Semeen 25-1 (8-5) 7th of 13, 7 1/4l behind Battersea (8-5) at Meydan 1m 6f hcp gd in Feb.