Filfil has really taken to this surface and won two minor handicaps in comfortable style. He's up 8lb from his latest victory and this is a tougher contest. Need To Know is best at Jebel Ali but Hunters Creek scored on his only all-weather start for John Gosden. One Man Band won here early last month before beaten by Filfil a few weeks later. He bounced back with a victory over the in-form State Law a fortnight ago and looks the best of Doug Watson's trio with Richard Hughes on board. ALAREEF was having his first start since May when fourth behind Not A Given over 7f a couple of weeks ago. Like many from his stable he will have needed the run and with that under his belt can take this as both Lanark and Muhtaram are held on that form.
Filfil (USA) 10-3 (9-0) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp in Dec beating Muhtaram (9-2) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Need To Know (SAF) 14-1 (8-13) 3rd of 10, 5l behind Henry Clay (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp in Dec.
Pit Stop (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) 5th of 10, 8l behind Hunting Ground (9-5) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp.
Hunters Creek (IRE) 11-1 (9-1) Close up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 12l behind Golden Town (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Jul.
Life Partner (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) 4th of 13, 7l behind Muaanid (9-1) at Meydan(UAE) 6f hcp in Dec.
Marching Time 3-1fav (8-10) 4th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Atlantic Brave (8-11) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp in Dec.
Alareef (SAF) 3-1fav (9-5) 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Not A Given (9-5) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp.
Balierus (GER) 14-1 (9-0) 4th of 9, 5l behind Rochdale (9-6) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f 3yo stks in Nov '12.
One Man Band (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp beating State Law (8-11) by nk, 13 ran.
Baarez (USA) 12-1 (9-4) Pulled hard, tracked leaders, led over 5f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 22l behind Sea Defence (8-13) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul.
Georgetown 4-1fav (9-0) 12th of 15, 17l behind Almoonqith (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f hcp in Feb.
Lanark (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) 5th of 11, 9l behind Not A Given (9-5) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp.
Muhtaram 9-2 (9-3) 6th of 11, 10l behind Not A Given (9-5) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp.
Waahy (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) 12th of 13, 50l behind One Man Band (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp.