George Villiers won here in March but couldn't cope with a 5lb rise on his next two starts. IMPORTANT MISSION is tackling this trip for the first time in the UAE but certainly wasn't stopping when making all over 7f here in April, when Pirates's Cove was four lengths back in third and Mazeed well beaten, and this doesn't look much tougher. Zucchini made a successful debut for Andre Fabre in 2017 and ran well in decent company in France last year but Etisalat needs to find more from his victory at Al Ain. Space Bandit, three times a winner at Southwell, makes his debut here.
Portamento (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) 7th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Rocket Power (8-11) at Meydan 6f hcp gd in Apr.
George Villiers (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) 8th of 14, 6 3/4l behind Mudallel (8-8) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Apr.
Important Mission (USA) 14-1 (9-2) won at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Apr beating Speedy Move (8-13) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Moqarrar (USA) 10-1 (8-5) 7th of 8, 14 1/2l behind Thegreatcollection (9-2) at Meydan 1m stks fst in Apr.
Space Bandit 2-1fav (9-12) Tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 9 1/2l behind Hortzadar (9-6) at Pontefract 1m hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Zucchini (8-12) 4th of 10, 1 3/4l behind King Of Leogrance (8-12) at Deauville 1m 1f stks pol in Jul.
Mark Of Approval (USA) 10-11fav (9-13) Slowly into stride, never travelled in last pair, never a factor, 6th of 9, 8 3/4l behind Alfarqad (9-2) at Kempton 1m stks (5) pol in Sep.
Pirate's Cove (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) 3rd of 11, 5l behind Important Mission (9-2) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Apr.
Giant Hero (USA) 20-1 (8-9) 8th of 13, 23 1/2l behind Walking Thunder (8-9) at Meydan 1m fst in Jan.
Mazeed (USA) 20-1 (8-5) 11th of 14, 13 1/4l behind Mudallel (8-8) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Apr.
Etisalat (9-8) won at Al Ain 7f hcp fst in Apr beating Guernsey (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 15 ran.
Mayaadeen (IRE) 3-1 (9-1) 8th of 11, 17 1/4l behind Speedy Move (8-7) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Mar.
