LORD NORTH burst a blood vessel when landing this by three lengths from Vin De Garde a year ago with Lord Glitters sixth. He was having his first subsequent start when playing second fiddle to Alenquer in a Lingfield Group 3 last month which should have put him spot-on to defend his crown. The latter's yard has two entries, Mohaafeth, who completed a four-timer when winning Ascot's Hampton Court Stakes, and My Oberon, who arrives in winning form having scored at Southwell. Panthalassa is in top form having won three of his last four, his only defeat coming at Group 1 level. Sun Chariot Stakes winner Saffron Beach improved markedly at the backend of last season while fast going will suit Schnell Meister, a Group 1 winner in Japan and beaten narrowly in the Mile Championship at Hanshin.
Alfareeq (IRE) (9-0) won at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 1 fst in Mar beating Finest Sound (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Colonel Liam (USA) 16-10fav (8-11) 2-3wd,up 1/8,drift out, won at Gulfstream 1m 1f stks gd in Jan beating Never Surprised (8-11) by 1l, 12 ran.
Desert Fire (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) 8th of 14, 9l behind Stay Foolish (9-6) at Riyadh 1m 7f Grp 3 hcp gd in Feb.
Haqeeqy (IRE) (9-6) 11th of 16, 8 3/4l behind Storm Damage (9-6) at Meydan 7f stks fst in Mar.
Harrovian 14-1 (8-13) 4th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Authority (8-13) at Riyadh 1m 2f Grp 3 gf in Feb.
Lord North (IRE) 6-5fav (9-0) Mid-division, headway to chase leader well over 2f out, came wide home turn, ridden well over 1f out, kept on but no impression, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Alenquer (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Feb.
Mohaafeth (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, pushed along well over 2f out, soon ridden and stayed on one pace, 4th of 7, 7 1/4l behind Mishriff (9-6) at York 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Aug.
My Oberon (IRE) 2-1fav (9-7) Dwelt, in touch towards rear, headway and switched right over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, driven to lead towards finish, won at Southwell 1m stks (2) pol in Feb beating Diderot (9-2) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Panthalassa (JPN) 3-1 (8-11) won at Nakayama 1m 1f fm in Feb beating Karate (8-11) by shd, 16 ran.
Schnell Meister (GER) 3-1 (8-11) 2nd of 16, shd behind Gran Alegria (8-9) at Hanshin 1m fm in Nov.
Sir Busker (IRE) (9-0) 4th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Alfareeq (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 1 fst in Mar.
Ursa Minor (IRE) (9-0) 3rd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Alfareeq (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 1 fst in Mar.
Vin De Garde (JPN) (9-0) 6th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Golden Sixty (9-0) at Sha Tin 1m Grp 1 gd in Dec.
Saffron Beach (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Overall leader far side, ridden and ran on, won at Newmarket 1m Grp 1 fll stks (1) gd in Oct beating Mother Earth (9-0) by 3l, 12 ran.
Finest Sound (IRE) (9-0) 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Alfareeq (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 1 fst in Mar.
Lord Glitters (FR) (9-0) 6th of 14, 5l behind Alfareeq (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 1 fst in Mar.
