Ijmaaly hasn't shown much in two starts here after scoring at Chelmsford in November and is looking a bit high in the ratings. Ostaad has an excellent strike-rate and bounced back to form over an extra furlong a fortnight ago. He's only 3lb higher so has to be respected though PHILOSOPHER, who was fourth, was in the lead at this trip before fading close home and has enough of a pull in the weights to reverse the form. Ahlan Emarati had shown nothing since arriving from the UK until a superb run in a Listed contest at Abu Dhabi two weeks ago and a repeat would see him in the picture. The in-form Pupil also ran well in the same event so he's another who should get involved in a tight handicap.
Ijmaaly (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) 6th of 14, 3 3/4l behind Bravo Zolo (9-5) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Feb.
Zurbriggen (9-5) 9th of 0, dist behind Sahaafy (9-6) at Jebel Ali 7f hcp fst in Mar.
Annunciation 12-1 (9-4) 14th of 16, 19 1/4l behind Pupil (8-11) at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Jan.
Redbrook (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) last of 15, dist behind North America (9-2) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Jan.
Dream Dubai 25-1 (8-9) 8th of 9, 6 1/2l behind Final Venture (9-4) at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Feb.
Encipher (USA) 10-1 (8-9) 3rd of 8, 2l behind Stunned (8-11) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Feb.
Ahlan Emarati (IRE) (9-0) 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Akeed Champion (9-0) at Abu Dhabi 7f lst stks gd in Feb.
Mutasayyid 16-1 (9-3) 5th of 16, 3 1/4l behind Classic Collection (9-3) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp gd in Jan.
Muwaary (AUS) 33-1 (8-13) 11th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Bravo Zolo (9-5) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Feb.
Pupil (IRE) (9-0) 4th of 16, 1 3/4l behind Akeed Champion (9-0) at Abu Dhabi 7f lst stks gd in Feb.
Saajid (IRE) (8-13) won at Cagnes-sur-Mer 1m 3f stks gd in Jun beating Angelical Dancer (8-9) by hd, 6 ran.
Ostaad (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) won at Meydan 1m 1f hcp fst in Feb beating Jaaref (9-0) by nk, 14 ran.
Groor 14-1 (9-1) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp fst in Feb.
Philosopher (IRE) 7-2fav (9-3) 4th of 14, 6 3/4l behind Ostaad (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp fst in Feb.
Royal Revival 25-1 (9-5) 7th of 14, 14 1/2l behind Ostaad (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp fst in Feb.
Jawhar (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) 14th of 16, 11 1/4l behind Classic Collection (9-3) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp gd in Jan.
Secure Access (USA) 16-1 (9-2) 12th of 14, dist behind Ostaad (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp fst in Feb.
Aridity (IRE) (8-13) 10th of 11, 19 3/4l behind Farrier (9-0) at Jebel Ali 1m 2f lst stks (1) fst in Feb.