The Maktoum family have seven of the 14 runners here and Frankie Dettori's presence on Xin Xu Lin is intriguing though once again a poor draw tempers enthusiasm. A four-times Grade 1 winner on turf in Brazil, he's a total unknown on this surface but is reported to have been working well. Frankie was on board when Khawlah beat Mahbooba in the UAE Oaks and there's little between them here. The latter's trainer Mike De Kock is also represented by Zanzamar and Reem - the former unluckily beaten by today's rival Splash Point in the UAE 2000 Guineas and Reem, who won the 1000 Guineas here, appears to have the better form having easily landed a Listed event last time. Master Of Hounds, Utley and Mantoba were well beaten in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and are also strangers to Tapeta. The fillies have been overwhelmingly better than the colts in the classics here this year so it's the 1000 Guineas winner and Oaks runner-up MAHBOOBA who gets the nod.
Reem (AUS) 11-10fav (8-13) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f 3yo Listed stks (1) beating Ahlaain (8-7) by 5l, 10 ran.
Alexander Pope (IRE) 2-7fav (8-13) Soon led, ridden clear from under 2f out, very easily, won at Dundalk 1m 2yo stks pol in Dec beating Final Recovery (8-8) by 7l, 5 ran.
Splash Point (USA) 10-1 (8-8) Raced in rear, smooth progress 400m out, led 200m out, ran on well, won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) in Feb beating Zanzamar (9-4) by 1l, 12 ran.
Ahlaain (USA) 6-1 (8-7) 2nd of 10, 5l behind Reem (8-13) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f 3yo Listed stks (1).
Mahbooba (AUS) 1-3fav (9-4) Mid-division, smooth progress 500m out, not much room 400m out, ran on same pace final 200m, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Khawlah (8-8) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f 3yo fll Grp 3 (1) in Feb.
Sweet Ducky (USA) 14-1 (8-8) 3 wide, no match late, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Dialed In (8-4) at Gulfstream(USA) 1m 3yo Grp 3 in Jan.
Introvert (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) Rear of mid-division, chased leaders 500m out, ran on well, led 200m out, comfortably, won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 3yo lst stk (1) gd in Feb beating Ahlaain (8-9) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Zanzamar (SAF) 4-6fav (9-4) Mid-division, tracked leaders 500m out, no room 400m out, ran on well final 200m, nearest finish, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Splash Point (8-8) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) in Feb.
Master Of Hounds (USA) 7-2fav (8-10) Steadied early, 4 wide, 6th of 13, 3l behind Pluck (8-10) at Churchill Downs(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) fm in Nov.
Laser Bullet (JPN) (8-11) 8th of 10 Unknown Winner (0-0) at Tokyo(JPN) 1m lst stk in Feb.
Khawlah (IRE) 9-2 (8-8) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 400m out, ran on well, held on gamely, won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f 3yo fll Grp 3 (1) in Feb beating Mahbooba (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Utley (USA) 17-2 (8-10) Rank to place, 7 wide, 7th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Pluck (8-10) at Churchill Downs(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) fm in Nov.
Xin Xu Lin (BRZ) (8-7) won at San Isidro(ARG) 1m 4f Grp 1 sft in Dec, 19 ran.
Mantoba 8-1 (8-10) Bumped, steadied early, 10th of 13, 6l behind Pluck (8-10) at Churchill Downs(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) fm in Nov.
