LONG JOHN arrived here from Australia with a big reputation and had no problems landing the UAE 2000 Guineas from Emirates Flyer. He's a southern-bred so has an advantage over most of these rivals and will be difficult to beat. The latter was beaten even further when stepping up to this trip for the first time three weeks ago by Asmar, who was very impressive. The Argentine Group 1 winner Cooptado is another southern-bred which should give him an advantage though he may need time to acclimatise while Aidan O'Brien saddles Giovanni Boldini and Sir John Hawkins. The former looks the main choice having finished runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. He's won both starts on Polytrack at Dundalk and would be a major threat if acting on Tapeta.
Safety Check (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) 4th of 11, 7l behind Long John (9-5) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) in Feb.
Paximadia (AUS) 5-1 (9-5) 8th of 11, 9l behind Long John (9-5) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) in Feb.
Cooptado (ARG) (8-7) 3rd btn 4l at San Isidro(Argentina) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) Good in Dec 8 ran
Long John (AUS) 7-4fav (9-5) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) in Feb beating Emirates Flyer (8-9) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Giovanni Boldini (USA) 4-1 (8-10) Stalked,bid,led,edged, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Outstrip (8-10) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Nov.
Emirates Flyer 6-4fav (8-8) 2nd of 10, 6l behind Asmar (8-8) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f (1).
Sir Jack Layden 40-1 (8-12) Broke well, held up, outpaced over 3f out, switched right and headway 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, unable to challenge, 3rd of 5, 1/2l behind Berkshire (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Sep.
Toast Of New York (USA) 10-11fav (9-2) Made all, clear travelling strongly 2f out, ridden out final furlong, unchallenged, won at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo nov stks (5) pol in Nov beating Inyordreams (9-0) by 16l, 6 ran.
Asmar (IRE) 4-1 (8-8) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f (1) beating Emirates Flyer (8-8) by 6l, 10 ran.
Sir John Hawkins (USA) 11-10fav (9-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden over 1f out and kept on same pace inside final furlong without troubling first 2, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Exogenesis (9-3) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul.
Jallota 8-1 (9-0) 2nd of 10, 1l behind My Catch (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 7f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in Feb.
King Rubi (8-13) won at Chantilly(FR) 1m 1f 3yo stks fbs beating Bernay (8-13) by shd, 6 ran.