Romansh had some excellent form with Thomas Albertrani in the USA and has two Grade 3's on Dirt at Aqueduct to his credit. He was expected to go well here last week but stumbled at the start and never recovered. After landing a handicap last month, Layl just failed to defy a 7lb rise in the weights last week and though put up another 3lb has to be considered with his lowly weight. Filfil won two minor handicaps then just failed to complete a hat-trick in a better grade contest last month. He looks certain to go well while USA import Yard Line may prove best of Charlie Appleby's trio as he looks a Dirt specialist. HAATHEQ is the class-act of the race having been competing well at Group 2 level this year. His second place behind Tamarkuz in a handicap was also a fine effort and he's taken to defy his big weight.
Haatheq (USA) (9-0) 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Frankyfourfingers (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Group 2 sks (1).
Romansh (USA) (9-0) last of 10, well behind Tamarkuz (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1).
Steeler (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) last of 10, 7l behind Umgiyo (8-13) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f hcp std in Jan.
Capital Attraction (USA) (9-0) last of 11, 33l behind Frankyfourfingers (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Group 2 sks (1).
Van Rooney (USA) 16-1 (9-4) 9th of 14, 4l behind Tha'ir (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp gd.
Yard Line (USA) 40-1 (8-6) Broke out,pulled, 10th of 12, 6l behind Long On Value (8-6) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 1f Grp 2 gd in Oct.
Royal Ridge (SAF) 12-1 (9-0) 9th of 16, 5l behind Samurai Sword (9-1) at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp fst.
Edu Querido (BRZ) 7-1 (8-10) 7th of 10, 17l behind Tamarkuz (9-3) at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp in Jan.
Silver Ocean (USA) 20-1 (8-13) 10th of 12, 9l behind Muaanid (8-13) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp in Jan.
Zain Shamardal (IRE) (9-2) 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Jayed Jidan (8-6) at Jebel Ali(UAE) 1m 3yo stks in Jan.
Bannock (IRE) (9-1) 6th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Forjatt (9-5) at Abu Dhabi(UAE) 7f cond Stakes gd.
Dragon Falls (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) 8th of 13, 18l behind Toolain (8-5) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp in Jan.
Layl (USA) 5-4fav (9-6) 2nd of 8, ns behind Jeeraan (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f hcp.
Busker (USA) (9-0) 6th of 10, 19l behind Tamarkuz (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1).
Giftorm (USA) 8-1 (8-13) 8th of 12, 21l behind I'm Back (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f hcp in Jan.
Filfil (USA) 10-3fav (9-5) 2nd of 14, shd behind One Man Band (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp in Jan.