Japan have won this four times in six years and their only representative, Vin De Garde, is a very smart performer though at a slightly lower level. Lord Glitters has been in superb form since arriving here in January culminating in a victory in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday. David O'Meara's stable star had Eqtiraan half-a-length back in second, the short-priced favourite Al Suhail a short-head away in third, with Court House and Zainhom also close behind. The winner has an obvious chance again though the third was having his first start since the summer and could take his revenge. Apart from a poor run on soft ground in the Champion Stakes at Ascot, LORD NORTH (NAP) had a superb 2020 with an easy victory in the Group 1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes the highlight. His 4 lengths success over genuine Group 1 performers Addeybb, Barney Roy and Japan would be enough to take this.
Al Suhail (9-0) 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Lord Glitters (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 1 stks fst in Mar.
Court House (IRE) (9-0) 5th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Lord Glitters (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 1 stks fst in Mar.
Epic Hero (FR) (9-0) 6th of 11, 1 1/2l behind D'bai (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 2 fst in Feb.
Eqtiraan (IRE) (9-0) 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Lord Glitters (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 1 stks fst in Mar.
Felix 3-1 (9-0) Close up in rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Forest Of Dean (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Feb.
First Contact (IRE) (9-0) 7th of 11, 3 3/4l behind Lord Glitters (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 1 stks fst in Mar.
Glen Force (IRE) (8-12) won at Sakhir 1m 4f gf in Mar beating Litigator (8-9) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Land Of Legends (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) 5th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Space Blues (9-0) at Riyadh 6f gd in Feb.
Lord Glitters (FR) (9-0) won at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 1 stks fst in Mar beating Eqtiraan (9-0) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Lord North (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) 2-3w,lacked split 1/8, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Tarnawa (8-11) at Keeneland 1m 4f gd in Nov.
Vin De Garde (JPN) 13-8fav (9-0) 4th of 16, shd behind Karate (8-11) at Tokyo 1m in Feb.
Zainhom (USA) (9-0) 6th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Lord Glitters (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 1 stks fst in Mar.
Regal Reality 17-2 (9-4) Slow into stride, in touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Kameko (9-5) at Newmarket 1m Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Sep.