A big field but few look to have realistic chances. Quiet Diplomacy may have finished runner-up here last month but was over 13l behind the winner. TOBACO followed a narrow defeat by Sky Jockey over 7f with a good run over an extra quarter-mile where he led at this trip before being swamped by Godolphin's Blue Creek, who looked a class above. He won't meet anything of that calibre here and should go one better though Ajwad looks a worthy opponent after just failing to make all over 7f at Jebel Ali last week. Just Pretend cost $100,000 and is a half-brother to three winners while stable companion Azzeez Wa Bahee is a half-brother to seven winners, several of them very useful, and the pair could prove the pick of the newcomers.
Ako Mako (IRE) (9-6) last of 16, dist behind Sky Jockey (9-6) at Jebel Ali 7f mdn stks fst in Dec.
Bellminer 14-1 (8-6) 8th of 12, 10 3/4l behind Lake Hawk (8-6) at Jebel Ali 7f hcp fst in Jan.
Court Politics (8-9) 13th of 0, 31 3/4l behind Mukhabarat (8-7) at Sharjah 1m 2f in Nov.
Quiet Diplomacy (9-6) 2nd of 12, 13 1/2l behind Polar River (8-5) at Meydan 6f mdn stks fst in Dec.
Rochester (9-0) 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Marhi (9-0) at Jebel Ali 5f mdn stks pol in Oct.
Hundred Steps (IRE) (9-2) 13th of 16, 29l behind Mr Churchill (9-6) at Jebel Ali 7f mdn stks fst in Jan.
Omri (USA) 25-1 (9-0) Rear of mid-division, ridden and progress into 7th 2f out, soon no impression, 7th of 13, 7l behind Mansuri (9-5) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Oct.
Tobaco (ARG) 9-4 (8-11) 2nd of 15, 5l behind Blue Creek (8-7) at Meydan 1m mdn stks fst in Jan.
Ajwad (8-7) 2nd of 16, nk behind Mr Churchill (9-6) at Jebel Ali 7f mdn stks fst in Jan.
Azzeez Wa Bahee (USA) Hat Trick colt out of Shy Greeting.
Clash Of Triton (USA) Archarcharch colt out of Big Baby's Band.
Just Pretend (USA) Drosselmeyer colt out of Cateress.
Dolly Mixtures Paco Boy colt out of Ishiadancer.
Estrella Eria (FR) (8-5) 10th of 16, 20 3/4l behind Mr Churchill (9-6) at Jebel Ali 7f mdn stks fst in Jan.
Mandilion (USA) 14-1 (8-5) 8th of 10, 25 1/2l behind Hammurabi (9-4) at Jebel Ali 6f hcp pol in Dec.
Tabib (IRE) (9-6) 14th of 16, 29 1/2l behind Mr Churchill (9-6) at Jebel Ali 7f mdn stks fst in Jan.
Star Of Broadway 100-1 (9-6) 13th of 15, 37 1/2l behind Blue Creek (8-7) at Meydan 1m mdn stks fst in Jan.