Haafaguinea landed a similar contest a year ago and scored again the following month so is entitled to the greatest respect despite a big weight. Saeed bin Suroor is also represented by AL SAHAM, who won this a year ago having scored on his return from a long absence. He hasn't run since February but obviously goes well fresh and another victory looks on the cards. Certerach's last victory was in a Group 2 over two miles here almost two years ago but Tannaaf dead-heated in the Listed Qatar Derby at Doha last month and could be well handicapped. Majeed is much better than he showed behind One Man Band here a fortnight ago and is expected to get much closer.
Haafaguinea 7-1 (9-1) won at Meydan 1m 2f hcp gd in Feb beating Silent Bullet (8-7) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Rio Tigre (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) 14th of 15, dist behind Brown Panther (9-0) at Meydan 2m Grp 2 gd in Mar.
Al Saham 7-1 (8-10) 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Songcraft (8-10) at Meydan 1m 4f hcp gd in Feb.
Sugar Boy (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Prince Alzain (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stks (1) pol in Nov.
Spend The Cash (IRE) (9-6) 6th of 9, 6 1/2l behind Nightflower (8-9) at Cologne 1m 4f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Certerach (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Soon led and disputed, chased leader in 2nd after 2f, pushed along 4f out, led 3f out, ridden and pressed 2f out, headed under 1f out, no extra in 3rd closing stages, 4th close home, 4th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Silwana (9-4) at Curragh 2m lst stks (1) gd in Sep.
Dormello (IRE) (9-2) 6th of 7, 37 1/4l behind Farrier (9-2) at Jebel Ali 1m 1f stks fst in Nov.
Antinori (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) 7th of 16, 11 1/2l behind Star Empire (9-3) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp gd in Jan.
Quarterback (EG) (9-1) 8th of 10, 4l behind Tannaaf (9-1) at Doha 1m 2f stks gd in Dec.
Tannaaf (IRE) (9-1) won at Doha 1m 2f stks gd in Dec
Majeed 8-1 (8-13) last of 9, 33 1/2l behind One Man Band (9-4) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp gd in Jan.
Paene Magnus (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) 11th of 16, 16 1/2l behind Star Empire (9-3) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp gd in Jan.
Zen Zansai Zaid (SWE) 33-1 (8-7) 10th of 16, 14 3/4l behind Star Empire (9-3) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp gd in Jan.
Keep In Line (GER) 13-2 (9-7) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 14, 19 3/4l behind Mustard (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Battersea 5-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, ridden and kept on final furlong, chased winner towards finish, always well held, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Curbyourenthusiasm (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Vaasa (IRE) 50-1 (8-7) 15th of 16, 34 1/4l behind Star Empire (9-3) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp gd in Jan.
Saxo Jack (FR) 12-1 (8-8) 13th of 15, at Meydan 1m 2f hcp pol in Feb.
Semeen (8-13) 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind at Bahrain 1m 2f stks gf in Mar.
