D'BAI has twice reappeared to win at this opening Carnival fixture, including this race two years ago. He was in good form throughout the summer in the UK and just gets the vote over stablemate Glorious Journey. The latter reappeared to win this a year ago and is very much a specialist at this trip so won't go down without a fight. Velorum also represents Charlie Appleby and there was plenty to like about his easy victory in a handicap here in February though he faces much tougher rivals. Ken Condon knows what it takes to win races here and Could Be King can make his presence felt though this looks a bit daunting among the Godolpin battalions.
Almoradi (BRZ) (9-6) 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Sub Manner (9-6) at Maronas 7f stks gf in Nov.
Could Be King 7-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, soon 6th, improved to challenge from under 2f out, kept on without matching winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Lustown Baba (9-2) at Curragh 6f lst stks (1) sft in Oct.
D'bai (IRE) 11-10fav (9-2) Hampered start, held up in 5th on inside, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, never going pace to challenge, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Harry's Bar (9-6) at Kempton 6f stks (2) pol in Oct.
Enjazaat (9-2) 6th of 7, 7 1/4l behind Important Mission (9-2) at Meydan 6f lst stks fst in Dec.
Glorious Journey 11-2 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 9, 3 3/4l behind Happy Power (9-3) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Land Of Legends (IRE) (9-0) 10th of 16, 11 1/2l behind Wildman Jack (9-0) at Meydan 6f Grp 3 gd in Mar.
Medahim (IRE) (9-2) 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Boerhan (9-2) at Abu Dhabi 1m gd in Dec.
Silver Line (IRE) 7-2 (9-10) Led, ridden over 2f out, responding and narrowly in lead over 1f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 7, 5 1/4l behind Cry Havoc (8-3) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (2) pol in Sep.
Velorum (IRE) (8-6) won at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Feb beating Zainhom (8-7) by 2 3/4l, 14 ran.
Final Song (IRE) 125-1 (9-0) In rear, switched right over 2f out, not trouble leaders, 10th of 12, 16l behind Nazeef (9-3) at Newmarket 1m Grp 1 fll stks (1) hvy in Oct.