Ed Walker's Cap Francais was placed in two Class 2 Ascot handicaps after scoring at Haydock and looks the type to do well here. KEY VICTORY returned to action after a break in a division of this a year ago and came with a late run to win with a bit in hand. He only had two subsequent starts and arrives with just 2lb extra so looks the one to beat. Bedouin's Story ran in four Carnival events last winter without success though wasn't beaten far in a very strong handicap on his opening run. David O'Meara was on the scoresheet here with Lord Glitters last week and the 2019 Balmoral Handicap winner Escobar is a similar classy type while Chance is a very useful and consistent handicapper, though he'll need to improve again after a 5lb rise for his Newmarket victory.
Escobar (IRE) 100-1 (9-4) Always towards rear, never a factor, 13th of 14, 13 1/4l behind The Revenant (9-4) at Ascot 1m Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Key Victory (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Pulled hard in mid-division on inside, headway tracking leaders 6f out, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and beaten over 1f out, 7th of 9, 8 1/4l behind Danyah (8-9) at Haydock 1m hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Bedouin's Story 9-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway far side of group over 2f out, every chance 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 6th of 17, 4 1/4l behind Kynren (9-2) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Cap Francais 5-1 (9-9) Raced keenly, held up in behind leaders, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, plugged on in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Tempus (9-1) at Ascot 1m hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Count Of Amazonia (IRE) 9-4 (9-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along to go 2nd over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven and headed well inside final furlong, held after, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Bless Him (9-3) at Newcastle 1m stks (2) pol in Jan.
Famous Wolf (FR) (9-2) last of 9, 17l behind Moqarrar (8-6) at Meydan 1m hcp gd in Feb.
Mailshot (USA) (9-3) 4th of 12, 5 1/2l behind Eqtiraan (8-11) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp fst in Jan.
Chance 3-1 (9-10) In touch in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m hcp (3) hvy in Oct beating Modmin (8-8) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Mount Pelion (IRE) (9-0) last of 7, 16 1/2l behind Thegreatcollection (9-0) at Meydan 1m lst stks in Dec.
Mutamaasik 20-1 (9-1) Ridden on outside 2f out, always towards rear, never threatened, 15th of 17, 13 1/2l behind Montatham (9-4) at York 1m hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Mystique Moon (9-2) 8th of 16, 6 3/4l behind Boerhan (9-2) at Abu Dhabi 1m gd in Dec.
Alfareeq (IRE) (9-2) 5th of 10, 3/4l behind Brave Shiina (9-2) at Deauville 7f stks pol in Aug.
Dubai Mirage (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Close up, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 27, 5 1/2l behind Majestic Dawn (8-8) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Moqtarreb (9-4) 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Wasim (8-13) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Jan.
Zainhom (USA) (9-4) 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Wasim (8-13) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Jan.
Dubai Legacy (USA) (9-5) 10th of 13, 8 1/4l behind Wasim (8-13) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Jan.
Yaalail (IRE) (9-1) 2nd of 13, 1l behind Wasim (8-13) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Jan.
Prompting 4-1 (8-9) Chased leader until ridden 2f out, went 2nd again briefly 1f out until inside final furlong, chased leaders in 3rd until weakened final 100 yards, 4th of 17, 2 1/2l behind Montatham (9-4) at York 1m hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Tashweeq (IRE) (9-2) 7th of 13, 4l behind Wasim (8-13) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Jan.
Above N Beyond (8-13) 10th of 12, 15 1/2l behind Eqtiraan (8-11) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp fst in Jan.
