Germany's Zazou ran well in the World Cup last year but rarely performs at a trip this short nowadays. Sarkiyla did well in France last season, though she failed at the highest level, but Group 2 winner Penitent ran a fine race behind Gordon Lord Byron on ground much too heavy in the Prix La Foret at Longchamp in October and must be on the shortlist. RED JAZZ led for much of the way in this a year ago and would have been sharpened up by a run behind African Story three weeks ago when Surfer was in front of him. It would be no surprise to see him reverse the form and he looks a speculative each-way bet in probably the trickiest race on the card. Soft Falling Rain is now unbeaten after six runs, including the 2000 Guineas here last month. This is a much stiffer assignment as he faces older horses for the first time and Mike De Kock also has last year's Group 1 Jebel Hatta winner Master Of Hounds and Rerouted, who has found his form again. Both the latter's recent victories have been over 7f but has no problems with this trip while Grade 1 winner Alpha is very much better than he showed behind a stablemate here last month.
Alpha (USA) 16-1 (8-13) last of 12, 12l behind Hunter's Light (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Group 2 sks (1) in Feb.
Mufarrh (IRE) 9-1 (9-6) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp in Feb beating Banna Boirche (8-10) by ns, 13 ran.
Red Jazz (USA) 12-1 (9-0) 10th of 14, 14l behind African Story (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1).
Time Prisoner (USA) 4-1 (9-0) 4th of 10, 6l behind Reynaldothewizard (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 6f Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1).
Zazou (GER) (9-4) 3rd of 10, 4l behind Don Bosco (9-2) at Chantilly(FR) 1m 1f 4yo stk fbs.
Surfer (USA) 16-1 (9-0) 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Hunter's Light (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1).
Sarkiyla (FR) (8-11) 3rd of 11, 4l behind Don Bosco (9-4) at Saint-cloud(FR) 1m Grp 3 hvy in Nov.
Master Of Hounds (USA) 9-1 (9-0) 5th of 10, 3l behind Sajjhaa (8-9) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Grp 1 (1) gd.
Rerouted (USA) 5-2fav (9-6) won at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp beating Free Wheeling (9-3) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Haatheq (USA) 16-1 (9-0) 7th of 12, 5l behind Hunter's Light (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1).
Penitent 6-1 (9-2) 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Gordon Lord Byron (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 7f Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct.
Capital Attraction (USA) 33-1 (9-0) 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind African Story (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1).
Soft Falling Rain (SAF) 8-11fav (9-5) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 3yo Grp 3 in Feb beating Snowboarder (8-9) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Saamidd 16-1 (9-0) 5th of 14, 7l behind African Story (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1).
Moonwalk In Paris (FR) 4-1 (9-0) 3rd of 14, 4l behind African Story (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1).
Barbecue Eddie (USA) 12-1 (9-0) 13th of 14, 19l behind African Story (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1).
