BATHRAT LEON made all in this for Japan a year ago and arrives in winning form having landed a lucrative 7f Group 3 at Riyadh last month. He had earlier finished just behind today's rival Lauda Sion at Hanshin but turned the tables in Riyadh. Their compatriot Win Carnelian landed a Tokyo Grade 3 last month but generally fails when tackling a higher level. Last year's runner-up Desert Wisdom has been gradually building towards another crack and is closely matched with Discovery Island as is Royal Mews, who Tadhg O'Shea prefers of his stable's three runners. Isolate, twice a winner in the USA, has been staying on strongly over 6f and is re-united with winning rider Tyler Gaffalione though Doug Watson has plenty of other options including the in-form Prince Eiji. Andre Fabre doesn't send horses here for the desert air and the Godolphin-owned Egot, six times a winner in France, is greatly respected.
Atletico El Culano (URU) (9-0) 8th of 14, 11 1/2l behind Salute The Soldier (9-0) at Meydan 1m 2f Grp 1 fst in Mar.
Bathrat Leon (JPN) 9-1 (8-13) won at Riyadh 7f Grp 3 stks gf in Feb beating Casa Creed (8-13) by hd, 11 ran.
Desert Wisdom (9-0) 5th of 16, 2 3/4l behind Discovery Island (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 3 fst in Mar.
Discovery Island (9-0) won at Meydan 1m Grp 3 fst in Mar beating Raaeb (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Egot (IRE) (9-1) 2nd of 7, 1l behind Wally (9-1) at Chantilly 1m stks pol in Mar.
Everfast (USA) (9-0) 6th of 16, 6 3/4l behind Discovery Island (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 3 fst in Mar.
Golden Goal (IRE) (9-10) won at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Feb beating Royal Mews (9-8) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Isolate (USA) (9-5) 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Sound Money (9-5) at Meydan 6f Grp 3 fst in Mar.
Lauda Sion (JPN) 16-1 (8-13) 9th of 11, 6l behind Bathrat Leon (8-13) at Riyadh 7f Grp 3 stks gf in Feb.
Law Of Peace (9-0) 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Salute The Soldier (9-0) at Meydan 1m 2f Grp 1 fst in Mar.
Prince Eiji (9-0) won at Meydan 1m Grp 3 stks Yielding in Jan beating Everfast (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Raaeb (IRE) (9-0) 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Discovery Island (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 3 fst in Mar.
Royal Mews (FR) (9-0) 3rd of 16, 2l behind Discovery Island (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 3 fst in Mar.
Win Carnelian (JPN) 8-1 (9-2) won at Tokyo 1m fst in Feb beating Namur (8-11) by nk, 16 ran.