BIN BATTUTA quickened up impressively off a very slow early pace to defy a 495-day absence three weeks ago. He hasn't had much racing for his age and there should be more to come so he looks the one to beat. Sharpalo, who finished a close third, will be 4lb better off but hardly ever wins and had a fitness advantage from two earlier runs. Maifalki never got into contention but wouldn't have been suited by the slow pace and may do better. Dubhe, like the selection from the Godolphin operation, hasn't run since an impressive victory at Sandown in April but he looks a progressive type though a 9lb rise makes this tougher. His stable companion Spotify won four races in France, including a Listed contest at Cagnes around this time a year ago, so should be winning soon while Wadigor is interesting as he won his first three races for Roger Varian but hasn't been seen since suffering a poor run at Royal Ascot in 2017. Harlan Strong needed his opening run here last week and will be much better suited by the longer trip.
Bin Battuta 11-4 (9-1) won at Meydan 1m 4f stks gd in Jan beating Ispolini (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Spotify (FR) (9-2) 3rd of 7, 3l behind Golden Legend (8-12) at Maisons-Laffitte 1m 2f Grp 3 stks gs in Sep.
Wadigor 4-1fav (9-9) Mid-division, outpaced when hampered inside final 2f, soon ridden, never on terms, 16th of 19, 14 3/4l behind Rare Rhythm (9-2) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp stks (2) gf in Jun.
Sharpalo (FR) 50-1 (9-0) 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Bin Battuta (9-1) at Meydan 1m 4f stks gd in Jan.
Harlan Strong (ARG) 25-1 (9-3) 6th of 10, 10l behind First Nation (9-3) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp gd in Jan.
Maifalki (FR) 25-1 (8-11) 6th of 9, 5 1/4l behind Bin Battuta (9-1) at Meydan 1m 4f stks gd in Jan.
Zamaam (9-0) 7th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Light The Lights (9-0) at Abu Dhabi 1m 3f gf in Mar.
North Face (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Dwelt tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, last of 5, 1 1/2l behind Mango Tango (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f stks (2) pol in Dec.
Dubhe 5-2 (9-4) Close up in rear, pushed along 2f out, headway to lead just inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (3) gs in Apr beating Communique (8-12) by 4l, 5 ran.
Parsifal (SPA) (9-2) 7th of 10, shd behind Hipodamo De Mileto (9-4) at La Zarzuela 1m 4f lst stks hvy in Oct.