This revolves around the fitness or otherwise of PAZOLINI, the winner of his last four races on Dirt in the USA including a high-class optional claimer at Aqueduct in November. If ready for this he isn't badly handicapped and should be capable of conceding just 5lb to Muaanid, though the latter has really taken to the surface and looks certain to get into the frame. Shaishee is another who has done very well since racing on Dirt. He landed a handicap in December and has produced excellent runs in Group company on his two latest outings suggesting he could be the one to take advantage if the Godolphin import doesn't run up to scratch. Like Boomshackerlacker, he'll be much better suited by the extra furlong after staying on last time.
Pazolini (USA) 21-20fav (8-12) 3w upper, edged clear, won at Aqueduct(USA) 6f clm stks in Nov beating Praetereo (8-8) by 4l, 8 ran.
Boomshackerlacker (IRE) (9-0) 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Reynaldothewizard (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 6f Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1).
Colmar Kid (IRE) 40-1 (8-13) last of 16, 20l behind Dark Emerald (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp std.
Encipher (USA) (9-0) 7th of 9, 6l behind Forjatt (9-0) at Jebel Ali(UAE) 1m Group 3 stks (3yo+).
Shaishee (USA) (9-0) 5th of 10, 3l behind Reynaldothewizard (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 6f Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1).
Muaanid 4-1 (8-13) won at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp in Jan beating Encipher (9-3) by nk, 12 ran.
Mashaaref 9-1 (8-10) 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Caspian Prince (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 5f hcp std.
Tamaathul 25-1 (8-10) 11th of 16, 10l behind Dark Emerald (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp std.