Doug Watson's horses continue in outstanding form and the champion UAE trainer should take this with DESERT FORCE (NAP). A winner for Richard Hannon, he showed the benefit of his opening run here with a very impressive victory in a strong handicap earlier this month and though raised 10lb can shrug off the impost and land a quick double. Heavy Metal scored for Mark Johnston and has done well here despite not having won since his opening run on the track. He's now dropped to a fair mark and should get involved. Comicas ran two excellent races here in the spring, winning in February and finishing runner-up in a Listed contest a month later. He hasn't run since down the field at Ascot in May but looks a danger despite a big weight. Alareef won twice here at the beginning of the year though may just need this but Ajraam loves the track and is only 4lb higher than his last victory.
Comicas (USA) 15-8fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and hung right over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 12 3/4l behind Tabarrak (8-13) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gf in May.
Heavy Metal (9-0) 4th of 0, 8 1/4l behind My Catch (9-0) at Meydan 6f lst stks in Dec.
Desert Force 2-1fav (9-4) won at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Dec beating Bannock (8-13) by 7l, 11 ran.
Ajraam (USA) (8-9) 12th of 0, 9 1/2l behind Mushir (8-9) at Jebel Ali 6f hcp fst in Nov.
Not A Given (USA) 25-1 (8-13) last of 10, 31 1/4l behind Udododontu (9-1) at Meydan 1m hcp gf in Jan.
Winslow (USA) 13-2 (8-9) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 9, 3 3/4l behind Festive Fare (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Philosopher (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) 7th of 9, 14 1/2l behind Stormardal (9-6) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Dec.
Alareef (SAF) (9-2) won at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Mar beating Mutahaddith (9-1) by ns, 0 ran.
Riflescope (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 12th of 13, 20 3/4l behind Franklin D (9-4) at Newmarket 1m hcp (2) gf in Jul.
English Deer (IRE) (9-0) 6th of 0, 9 3/4l behind Muarrab (9-0) at Jebel Ali 5f lst (1) fst in Mar.
Speedy Move (IRE) (9-4) 6th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Fitzgerald (9-3) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Nov.