Doug Watson saddles five of the dozen runners. ILLUSIONAL (NAP), runner-up on his debut over the course and distance, put a moderate run at Jebel Ali behind him to score over a mile here in January. He's up 4lb but now he's struck winning form he's one to follow. Sea Skimmer was 7l behind the selection in January but has enough pull in the weights to get much closer while Jintshi is quite consistent but has produced his best runs away from this track. Cachao isn't the most consistent of performers and he's never won beyond a mile though it wouldn't be a shock to see him pop up.
Mizbah 16-1 (9-5) 5th of 7, 29 1/2l behind Tried And True (9-8) at Jebel Ali 1m 2f hcp fst in Dec.
Illusional 3-1fav (8-13) won at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Jan beating Robin Weathers (8-9) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Litigation 20-1 (9-3) 11th of 14, 24 1/4l behind Mazeed (8-7) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Feb.
Bowditch (IRE) (9-5) 10th of 14, 26 1/2l behind Skygazer (9-2) at Abu Dhabi 1m 4f gd in Jan.
Native Appeal (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) 7th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Mazeed (8-7) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Feb.
Sea Skimmer 5-1fav (9-8) 8th of 16, 17 1/4l behind Gavroche (9-6) at Jebel Ali 1m 2f hcp fst in Feb.
Cachao 11-1 (9-5) 5th of 14, 9 1/4l behind Thaaqib (8-5) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Feb.
Althaaqib (USA) 33-1 (8-7) Led after 1f and set steady pace, quickened well over 2f out, headed over 2f out, chased leaders, weakened final furlong, 9th of 13, 5 3/4l behind Podemos (9-5) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Hucklebuck (USA) 3-1fav (9-2) 6th of 14, 13 3/4l behind Thaaqib (8-5) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Feb.
Direct Message (USA) 18-1 (9-6) last of 14, dist behind Thaaqib (8-5) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Feb.
Jintshi (8-5) 3rd of 15, 5 1/4l behind Secret Trade (8-5) at Al Ain 1m 5f fst in Feb.
J Be Space (ARG) 25-1 (9-1) won at Meydan 1m 1f mdn stks fst in Jan beating Grecian Spirit (9-1) by 10l, 16 ran.