Rothenburg made a successful debut in a course and distance maiden and runner-up Street Of Dreams could give the form a boost in the previous race. Pit Stop also won at the opening meeting, battling on strongly to catch PIRATE'S COVE close home after looking held. The latter may be ridden with a bit more restraint and can reverse the form on slightly better terms. Thegreatcollection, a dual winner in the USA, was conceding 10lb to the winner and not beaten far in a handicap on opening day so has to be respected while the former Mick Channon-based Scrutineer was staying on strongly over 6f on his debut here and has won over this trip. Ajraam is another to consider in an open handicap.
Sharp Defence (USA) (8-7) 13th of 16, 14 3/4l behind Shamaal Nibras (9-6) at Abu Dhabi 1m in Nov.
Thegreatcollection (USA) 20-1 (9-4) 3rd of 13, 3 3/4l behind Galvanize (8-8) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Nov.
Scrutineer (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) 2nd of 9, 3 1/4l behind Almanaara (8-5) at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Nov.
Ajraam (USA) 9-2 (9-1) 3rd of 9, 6l behind Almanaara (8-5) at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Nov.
Elronaq 13-2 (8-12) In touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 12 3/4l behind Summer Chorus (8-0) at Newmarket 6f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Ian's Memory (USA) 33-1 (8-10) last of 14, dist behind Trinity Force (8-5) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Nov.
Speedy Move (IRE) (8-9) 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind High On Life (8-13) at Jebel Ali 6f stks fst in Mar.
Aridity (IRE) 18-1 (9-1) 11th of 15, 19 1/2l behind Bochart (8-7) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Mar.
Pirate's Cove (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Pit Stop (9-1) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Nov.
Highest Level (IRE) (9-4) 13th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Najm Suhail (9-0) at Abu Dhabi 7f gd in Jan.
Kamancho (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) 9th of 10, 24 1/4l behind Alareef (8-11) at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Jan.
Lytham St Annes (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) 9th of 10, 16 1/2l behind Mushaakis (8-13) at Jebel Ali 7f hcp fst in Mar.
Pit Stop (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) won at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Nov beating Pirate's Cove (9-6) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Rothenburg (USA) (9-5) won at Meydan 7f mdn stks fst in Nov beating Street Of Dreams (9-6) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Strong Challenge (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) 10th of 12, 24 1/4l behind Pit Stop (9-1) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Nov.
Ocean Telegraph (USA) 20-1 (8-10) 14th of 15, 29 1/2l behind Bochart (8-7) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Mar.