ERTIJAAL won this comfortably a year ago before a superb placed effort in the Al Quoz Sprint on World Cup night. He reappeared to give Hit The Bid 12lb and a beating and though the runner-up improved to carry a big weight to victory in a handicap he's hardly likely to reverse places at level weights. Blue Point looks much more of a threat on his UAE debut. The Godolphin colt did superbly as a two-year-old, winning a Group 2 and placed twice at the highest level. He only had four runs last season winning two Grade 3 contests at Ascot and is a very high-class recruit to racing here, though takes a drop in trip. The remainder look as though they are playing for places as though Fityaan won this in 2016 he was found wanting in handicaps last year.
Fityaan 12-1 (9-3) 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Final Venture (9-4) at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Feb.
Blue Point (IRE) Evensfav (9-4) Made all, ridden over 1f out, held on close home, won at Ascot 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Oct beating Projection (9-2) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Out Do 7-1 (9-3) 3rd of 12, 6l behind High On Life (8-9) at Meydan 6f hcp gd in Feb.
Ertijaal (IRE) 8-11fav (9-6) won at Meydan 5f hcp fst in Jan beating Hit The Bid (8-8) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Hit The Bid 4-6fav (9-6) won at Meydan 5f hcp gd in Feb beating Dutch Masterpiece (8-13) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Sir Maximilian (IRE) 40-1 (8-7) 3rd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Baccarat (9-2) at Meydan 6f hcp gd in Feb.