Balavad is penalised for landing a Class 6 nursery at Lingfield for Jamie Osborne while Chosen Mark has extra for his Newcastle maiden victory in July. Zhou Storm made all and stayed on strongly to repel RARE NINJA by a short-head here a month ago but the winner can reverse the form on 3lb better terms. Grand Dubai stayed on well into third but Shamran, who started favourite, weakened after showing good early pace. Nimer missed the break and never got involved nor did Dignity Joy at Jebel Ali last week. Doug Watson's pair Speight'spercomete and Al Murqab are newcomers to watch out for.
Balavad (IRE) 13-2 (9-6) Restless in stalls, chased leader, led inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Lingfield 1m (6) gf in Aug beating Menai Bridge (9-6) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Chosen Mark (IRE) 3-1fav (9-8) Mid-division, outpaced 3f out, kept on towards finish, 4th of 12, 7 3/4l behind Miami Joy (9-4) at Lingfield 7f stks (5) pol in Aug.
Zhou Storm (9-0) won at Meydan 6f mdn stks in Nov beating Rare Ninja (9-0) by shd, 6 ran.
Al Murqab (CAN) Exaggerator colt out of Senses Of Emirates.
Dignity Joy (USA) (9-0) 4th of 5, 2 1/2l behind Cross The Ocean (9-0) at Jebel Ali 5f mdn stks fst in Nov.
Grand Dubai (IRE) (9-0) 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Zhou Storm (9-0) at Meydan 6f mdn stks in Nov.
Nibraas (USA) Uncle Mo colt out of Conquest Curlgirl.
Nimer (USA) (9-0) 5th of 6, 4 3/4l behind Zhou Storm (9-0) at Meydan 6f mdn stks in Nov.
Rare Ninja (USA) (9-0) 2nd of 6, shd behind Zhou Storm (9-0) at Meydan 6f mdn stks in Nov.
Shamran (USA) (9-0) 4th of 6, 3 1/4l behind Zhou Storm (9-0) at Meydan 6f mdn stks in Nov.
Speight'spercomete (USA) Speightstown colt out of Perfect La Comete.
Talo (USA) Orb colt out of Bayou Tortuga.
