It didn't look a top-class Breeders' Cup Turf that Dangerous Midge won from Champ Pegasus but Brian Meehan has given the winner a perfect preparation for this and he must not be overlooked. Irish Flame's close second to the brilliant Bold Silvano in the Durban July is arguably the best form on view here and though he hasn't shone over shorter trips this Carnival he could spring a surprise at fair odds and is worth an each-way shout. Great Voltiguer winner Rewilding will be happier back at this trip after flopping in the St Leger while Barry Hills is said to be delighted with the condition of the globe-trotting Redwood, runner-up to Mastery in the Hong Kong Vase. Deem finished seventh in this two years ago and a close fourth last year. Jerry Barton will have him spot on for another effort and he rates a major threat to all. It's difficult to get a handle on the form of RULERSHIP but he hasn't been beaten far in two Grade 1 attempts and easily won a Grade 2 at Kyoto last time. Christophe Soumillon has been in great form at this year's Carnival and his mount gets the vote to take this for Japan.
Laaheb 5-6fav (9-3) Tracked leader, challenged and upsides from 2f out, carried left from over 1f out, driven to narrow lead 1f out, kept slight advantage throughout final furlong, held on gamely close home, won at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gs in Sep beating Whispering Gallery (9-0) by ns, 6 ran.
Deem (IRE) 5-1 (8-9) Settled rear, ran on well final 400m nearest finish, 2nd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Golden Sword (8-13) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f stks (3yo+) in Feb.
Chinchon (IRE) 13-4 (9-0) Furious str drive, 6th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Joshua Tree (8-10) at Woodbine(USA) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Calvados Blues (FR) 4-1 (8-13) 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Monterosso (8-11) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f Group 2 sks (1).
Redwood (9-0) 2nd of 14, 5l behind Mastery (9-0) at Sha Tin(HK) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Dec.
Irish Flame (SAF) 16-1 (8-13) 9th of 14, 8l behind Twice Over (8-13) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f Group 2 stks (4yo+) (1).
Champ Pegasus (USA) 6-4 (8-11) Steadied early,gamely, won at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 4f Grp 2 gd in Feb beating Bourbon Bay (8-11) by shd, 13 ran.
Rewilding Evensfav (9-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 7l behind Arctic Cosmos (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 6f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
Bourbon Bay (USA) 11-10fav (8-11) Drifted out bit,game, 2nd of 13, shd behind Champ Pegasus (8-11) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 4f Grp 2 gd in Feb.
Rulership (JPN) (8-13) won at Kyoto(JPN) 1m 4f hcp Grp 2 fm in Jan, 13 ran.
Marinous (FR) 6-1 (8-13) 6th of 10, 13l behind Monterosso (8-11) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f Group 2 sks (1).
Dangerous Midge (USA) 17-2 (9-0) Fractious,4w,strong rd, won at Churchill Downs(USA) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) fm in Nov beating Champ Pegasus (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Al Shemali 12-1 (9-6) 6th of 11, 4l behind Honour System (8-4) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f hcp.
Uramazin (IRE) (9-0) 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind California Memory (9-0) at Sha Tin(HK) 1m 2f stk gd in Feb.
