Godolphin are very strongly represented here. Desert Fire, a close third in a Listed handicap over 1m2f here a year ago, was well beaten in subsequent starts at a high level but warmed up with a narrow victory over another Godolphin entry Walton Street at Lingfield in September. The latter goes best fresh and could turn the tables though his stable companion AMERICAN GRAFFITI won first time back a year ago and on his opening run at Newmarket the previous year so just gets the verdict. Halimi landed a premier handicap for Jim Bolger at Leopardstown and has joined the Crisford operation so is one to keep an eye on while Communique finished runner-up in a German Group 1 in September for Mark Johnston.
Communique (IRE) (9-4) last of 9, dist behind Torquator Tasso (8-11) at Hoppegarten 1m 4f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Ispolini 7-2 (9-5) Held up in touch in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 7, 3 1/4l behind Trueshan (9-5) at Haydock 1m 4f lst stks (1) gs in Jul.
Desert Fire (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Tracked leader over 5f, remained handy, sustained run on outside from over 1f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 4f stks (3) gd in Sep beating Walton Street (9-3) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Walton Street 6-1 (9-5) Led stand side group 9f out, overall leader over 2f out, ridden and ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 4f lst stks (1) gd in Sep beating Aloe Vera (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Away He Goes (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Held up in last pair, headway on outside under pressure inside final 2f, never threatened, 5th of 8, 13 1/2l behind Euchen Glen (9-7) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) hvy in Oct.
Dubai Future 9-2 (9-11) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, strongly pressed and kept on inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Humanitarian (9-12) at Newbury 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Lucius Tiberius (IRE) (9-6) 3rd of 12, 4 1/4l behind Eqtiraan (8-11) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp fst in Jan.
Volcanic Sky 9-2 (9-5) Tracked centre leader 9f out, pushed along when groups merged over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 19l behind Walton Street (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 4f lst stks (1) gd in Sep.
Halimi (IRE) 5-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, ridden entering straight, soon no impression, 7th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Haparanda (8-8) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp sft in Oct.
American Graffiti (FR) (8-10) 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Simsir (8-13) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp gd in Feb.
Dublin Pharaoh (USA) 5-6fav (9-10) Midfield, lost position over 3f out, headway to track leaders 2f out, kept on from over 1f out but no match for front pair, 3rd of 8, 5 1/4l behind Myseven (9-6) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Golden Wood (FR) (9-3) won at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f stks hvy in Nov beating Electron Libre (8-13) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Mondain 16-1 (9-0) Prominent, joined leader 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 16th of 34, 18 1/2l behind Great White Shark (8-6) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Zaman (9-0) last of 8, 16 3/4l behind Firnas (9-0) at Meydan 1m 2f lst stks fst in Dec.
