KIldare handler Michael Halford is already on the scoresheet at the Carnival so the fact that the tough and consistent Eastern Rules is returning after a break shouldn't prove a problem. Mufarrh didn't run at all badly behind Shuruq at the beginning of the month and his three all-weather victories have come on this track. Tamarkuz has won three times on Polytrack though he'll need to step up a gear but Mike De Kock's ZAHEE looks the one to be on as he was placed in stronger company than this at last year's Carnival after victories in Australia. The Gold Cheongsam had a pipe-opener three weeks ago but his overall form just leaves him something to find.
Mufarrh (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) 8th of 10, 6l behind Shuruq (8-9) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Group 2 sks (1).
Dafeef 33-1 (9-0) 12th of 14, 9l behind Anaerobio (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 7f Grp 2 (1) gd.
Tamarkuz (USA) 6-1 (8-13) Held up, switched left and headway well over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, easily, won at Kempton 1m stks (3yo+) (4) pol in Oct beating Ehtedaam (9-2) by 2l, 4 ran.
Zahee (NZ) 14-1 (9-5) 6th of 12, 7l behind Lines of Battle (8-9) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Group 2 sks (1) in Mar.
Alhebayeb (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) 12th of 15, 12l behind Ahtoug (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 5f hcp std.
Santefisio 25-1 (9-6) Raced near side, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, never reached leaders and weakened inside final furlong, 21st of 29, 9l behind Galician (8-12) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
The Gold Cheongsam (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) 11th of 16, 9l behind Anaerobio (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp std.
Gold City (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) 12th of 16, 9l behind Anaerobio (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp std.
Tennessee Wildcat (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) last of 14, 9l behind Jamesie (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 6f 3yo hcp 0-105.
Eastern Rules (IRE) 10-1 (9-12) Settled in rear of mid-division, some headway on outer early straight to go 12th over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong without reaching leaders, 4th of 18, 2 3/4l behind Tobann (9-3) at Leopardstown 7f hcp gd in Aug.
Risby (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) 7th of 16, 1l behind Zain Shamardal (9-6) at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp.