Dream Castle won the Jebel Hatta at Meydan back in March but this is a more competitive Group 1 race. The other Godolphin runner, Wild Illusion, returns to action having landed the Group 1 Prix de l’Opera in October and beating With You in the process and that looks stronger form. Roger Varian steps Zabeel Prince up in class after landing the Earl Of Sefton at Newmarket while Knight To Behold found only Crystal Ocean, rated 125, too good in the Gordon Richards at Sandown last time with Trais Fluors well beaten. But STUDY OF MAN will be sharper for last month’s second to Waldgeist in the Prix Ganay and, having beaten subsequent Group 1 winner Intellogent when landing last year’s French Derby, Pascal Bary’s colt gets the vote to return to winning ways.
Zabeel Prince (IRE) 9-2cfav (9-0) Raced on far rail, held up, headway and switched left over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, quickened to lead 1f out, ran on well, won at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Apr beating Forest Ranger (9-0) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Subway Dancer (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Held up last, headway on outside 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong went 3rd final 110 yards, no chance with winner, 3rd of 8, 6 3/4l behind Cracksman (9-5) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Intellogent (IRE) (9-2) last of 5, 13 1/4l behind Waldgeist (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 1 stks gd in Apr.
Study Of Man (IRE) (9-2) 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Waldgeist (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 1 stks gd in Apr.
Dream Castle 5-2 (9-0) last of 13, 15 3/4l behind Almond Eye (8-9) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 1 gd in Mar.
Trais Fluors 10-3 (9-0) Raced keenly, tracked leaders on inside, hanging right when not clear run over 2f out, weakened when in the clear final furlong, 5th of 7, 7 1/2l behind Crystal Ocean (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Apr.
Knight To Behold (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Soon led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Crystal Ocean (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Apr.
Wild Illusion 14-5fav (8-8) In tight, bumped early, 2nd of 14, nk behind Sistercharlie (8-12) at Churchill Downs 1m 3f gs in Nov.
With You (8-11) 4th of 16, 2 1/2l behind Wild Illusion (8-11) at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 1 fll gs in Oct.