Charlie Appleby had a 1-2-3 in this last year with STAR SAFARI beaten four lengths into third behind Ya Hayati with another Godolphin entry, Brilliant Light, just behind in fourth. The former was just in need of the run that day and went on to land a handicap and a Group 3 before a fine run behind Mishriff in the Sheema Classic. A pipe-opener a fortnight ago will have put him straight and he should again take care of Recordman, who was just behind. Ya Hayati has since changed stables and hasn't run since February but Dubai Mirage was in good form here last winter without winning and made an excellent comeback over a trip much too short earlier this month.
Star Safari (9-6) 2nd of 15, 5 1/4l behind Dubai Future (9-3) at Meydan 1m 4f lst stks (1) gd in Jan.
Erzindjan (IRE) (8-13) 7th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Desert Fire (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 2 stks fst in Jan.
El Patriota (URU) (9-6) 3rd of 7, 16 1/4l behind Al Nefud (9-3) at Meydan 1m stks gd in Jan.
Marie's Diamond (IRE) (9-0) 11th of 14, 31 3/4l behind Golden Goal (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jan.
Integrant (FR) (8-11) won at Deauville 1m 1f lst stks pol in Nov beating Angelissima (8-10) by nk, 14 ran.
Wirko (GER) (8-11) 12th of 15, 10 1/2l behind Dubai Future (9-3) at Meydan 1m 4f lst stks (1) gd in Jan.
Dubai Mirage (IRE) (9-10) 2nd of 12, 1l behind Alkaamel (9-11) at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Jan.
Gabr (8-13) 3rd of 16, 2 3/4l behind Alfareeq (8-13) at Meydan 1m stks gd in Apr.
Mordin (IRE) (8-10) 9th of 15, 9l behind Dubai Future (9-3) at Meydan 1m 4f lst stks (1) gd in Jan.
Recordman (8-10) 3rd of 15, 6 1/2l behind Dubai Future (9-3) at Meydan 1m 4f lst stks (1) gd in Jan.
Vintager (8-10) 4th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Path Of Thunder (9-3) at Meydan 1m stks gd in Jan.
Ya Hayati (USA) (9-3) 5th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Bright Melody (9-5) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp gd in Feb.
Dubai Horizon (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) Chased leaders in main group, pushed along over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Strait Of Hormuz (8-4) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Saqqara King (USA) (9-0) 7th of 9, 17l behind Imperial Empire (8-7) at Meydan 7f stks fst in Dec.
Marching Army 10-3fav (8-13) Prominent, ridden to lead entering final furlong, always holding rivals final 100 yards, ran on well, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (2) pol in Nov beating Noble Masquerade (8-9) by nk, 11 ran.
Brilliant Light (8-10) 4th of 8, 9 1/2l behind Desert Peace (9-0) at Meydan 1m 2f stks fst in Jan.
Freescape 7-2 (9-9) Waited with towards rear, headway approaching straight where raced on outer, kept on without threatening inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Dalvey (9-1) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Enemy (9-5) 2nd of 16, nk behind Val Bassett (8-4) at Deauville 1m 1f hcp pol in Nov.