FLASH FIRE gave Rene Mathis 6lb and a beating of over two lengths when they met here early last month and though unable to cope with Championship next time that was in a Group 2. He holds Mike De Kock's Anaerobio on those two runs and it's a long time since the latter stable's much touted Johann Strauss finished runner-up in the 2013 Racing Post Trophy though this will be his first ever start in a handicap. Yet another from the yard, Tahanee, led for a long way in a Group 2 over a mile last month so dropping back in trip should suit. Oh This Is Us won some very tough handicaps in the UK and would have a definite chance if ready while Group 3 winner First Selection was very highly tried last summer and will have come on for last month's run behind the prolific North America. Salateen is another who badly needed his opening run here and is a specialist over this trip.
Flash Fire (IRE) (9-0) 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Championship (9-0) at Meydan 7f gd in Jan.
Anaerobio (ARG) (9-0) 4th of 8, 6 3/4l behind Championship (9-0) at Meydan 7f gd in Jan.
Johann Strauss (9-0) 7th of 9, 7 1/2l behind Tryster (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Mar.
Oh This Is Us (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Close up far side, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Doncaster 7f hcp (2) gf in Nov beating Bertiewhittle (8-9) by nk, 17 ran.
Tahanee (ARG) 5-1 (9-0) 5th of 0, 2 1/2l behind Very Special (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jan.
First Selection (SPA) 8-1 (9-6) 5th of 15, 12 1/4l behind North America (9-2) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Jan.
Sahaafy (USA) (9-2) 11th of 12, 19 1/4l behind Krypton Factor (8-13) at Jebel Ali 6f stks fst in Mar.
Salateen (8-10) last of 16, 25 1/4l behind Flash Fire (9-1) at Meydan 7f hcp gf in Jan.
Rene Mathis (GER) (8-9) 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Flash Fire (9-1) at Meydan 7f hcp gf in Jan.
Encipher (USA) 40-1 (9-1) 6th of 16, 4l behind Fanciful Angel (9-4) at Meydan 1m hcp gd in Jan.
