Kitaaby completed hat-trick over this trip for Brian Meehan when landing a Class 3 Newmarket handicap in August, when today's rival Shawaahid was just behind, and has to be on the shortlist with George Buckell's claim to help. Pat Cosgrave has a strong book of rides today and PUPIL is certainly one of them. He'd only been showing moderate form before a much improved run behind Baroot, who runs earlier, and a repeat would see him difficult to beat. Greeb ran well in two handicaps here at this time last year and didn't take to the Dirt at Jebel Ali so he's expected to do better under Jim Crowley but Art Wave has done all of his winning on that track and was placed in a Group 3 there last week. Time Flies, a winner for John Gosden at Chelmsford, attempted to make all over 6f a fortnight ago but only stayed on at one pace when headed. Ridden with more restraint here he could do better.
Art Wave (IRE) (9-0) 3rd of 12, 4 3/4l behind Forjatt (9-0) at Jebel Ali 1m Grp 3 stks fst in Jan.
Annunciation (8-12) 3rd of 14, 4l behind Forjatt (9-5) at Abu Dhabi 1m gd in Nov.
Cross Grain (IRE) (9-0) 9th of 14, 10 1/4l behind Championship (9-0) at Abu Dhabi 1m gd in Dec.
Mutamakkin (AUS) (8-8) 14th of 0, 17 1/4l behind American Hope (8-10) at Meydan 7f hcp gf in Mar.
Bear Faced 33-1 (8-11) 14th of 15, 33 1/2l behind North America (9-2) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Jan.
Dragon Falls (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) last of 13, 35 1/2l behind Nathr (9-4) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Jan.
Greeb (8-9) 11th of 0, 9 1/4l behind Mushir (8-9) at Jebel Ali 6f hcp fst in Nov.
Master Of War 33-1 (9-1) 12th of 13, 5 3/4l behind Medicean Man (9-6) at Meydan 5f hcp gd in Jan.
Figure Of Speech (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) 6th of 10, 14l behind Beat Baby (9-5) at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Jan.
Lehaaf (ARG) (9-2) last of 11, dist behind Tides Rise (8-6) at Jebel Ali 1m hcp fst in Nov.
Shawaahid (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and edged right over 2f out, not quicken entering final furlong, no impression, 8th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Weekend Offender (8-13) at York 1m hcp stks (2) gd in Oct.
Pupil (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) 2nd of 14, 1l behind Baroot (8-9) at Meydan 1m hcp gd in Jan.
Kitaaby (IRE) 5-1fav (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 7f hcp (3) gf in Aug beating Shawaahid (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Mushaakis (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) 6th of 16, 5 1/4l behind Acolyte (9-3) at Meydan 6f hcp gd in Jan.
Time Flies 20-1 (9-2) 4th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Acolyte (9-3) at Meydan 6f hcp gd in Jan.
Fast Enough (IRE) (9-0) last of 9, 19l behind Fitzgerald (9-3) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Nov.
Lytham St Annes (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) 10th of 16, 7 1/2l behind Acolyte (9-3) at Meydan 6f hcp gd in Jan.
Jaaref (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Baroot (8-9) at Meydan 1m hcp gd in Jan.
Modern History (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) 7th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Baroot (8-9) at Meydan 1m hcp gd in Jan.
Snowboarder (USA) (8-5) 10th of 11, 14 1/4l behind Mushir (8-13) at Jebel Ali 5f stks fst in Jan.
