Hunting Ground, one of six course and distance winners in the line-up, made all for his second victory here last month though this looks tougher. MUBTAAHIJ ran the race of his life when runner-up to California Chrome in last year's Dubai World Cup and, if Mike De Kock has him ready, he'll be very difficult to beat despite needing his opening run a year ago when a short-priced favourite. Alabaster was having his first start for a year when down the field behind Heavy Metal last month and showed the benefit when just holding off Etijaah over the track and trip a couple of weeks ago. There's very little between than at the weights but the winner's stable companion Memorial Day is having his first start on the surface. Sharpalo is usually thereabouts but looks high enough in the weights.
Memorial Day (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Held up, in touch, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 16, 27 3/4l behind Duretto (9-4) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Oct.
Storm Belt (USA) (9-0) last of 9, dist behind Furia Cruzada (8-9) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 2 fst in Feb.
Mubtaahij (IRE) 7-4 (9-0) 2p,btwn foes to 7/16pl, 4th of 5, 7 3/4l behind Hoppertunity (9-0) at Belmont Park 1m 2f stks fst in Oct.
Alabaster (USA) 9-1 (8-13) won at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Feb beating Emotionless (9-6) by nk, 11 ran.
Sharpalo (FR) (9-0) 4th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Farrier (9-0) at Jebel Ali 1m 2f lst stks (1) fst in Feb.
Etijaah (USA) 14-1 (9-0) 2nd of 11, nk behind Alabaster (8-13) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Feb.
Gold City (IRE) (9-0) 5th of 9, 5 3/4l behind Furia Cruzada (8-9) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 2 fst in Feb.
Beach Bar (IRE) 50-1 (8-6) last of 9, dist behind Zamaam (8-9) at Meydan 2m hcp gd in Feb.
Layl (USA) 11-2 (9-6) 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Alabaster (8-13) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Feb.
Hunting Ground (USA) 7-2fav (9-1) won at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Jan beating Triple Nine (9-6) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
