SHEIKHZAYEDROAD had a very good campaign in the UK last summer and came here on his highest ever mark a month ago but stayed on strongly off a fast pace to score over 1m2f. He could be even better over this trip so is taken to complete the double though the Irish-trained Dabadiyan, who was a close fifth, is expected to make his presence felt as that was his first start since September. Songcraft landed a York Listed contest over 1m6f in May so this could prove on the short side. Topclas was in good form here a year ago and made a promising return to action behind Certerach last month with the disappointing Dormello behind. Vasily has joined Mike De Kock and looked in need of the run behind Gabrial last month so with that under his belt he's expected to go close. Meandre has been superbly placed to land four Group 1s in Germany and France and will have found 1m2f too short on his return to this track. He ran in the World Cup last year and should find this more to his liking.
Meandre (FR) Evensfav (9-5) 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Ralston Road (8-11) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f 3yo stks in Dec.
Sheikhzayedroad 7-1 (9-3) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp std in Jan beating Aussie Reigns (8-13) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Zip Top (IRE) 3-1fav (9-4) 8th of 10, 10l behind Windhoek (8-10) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp in Jan.
Buckwheat 16-1 (8-9) last of 13, well behind Cirrus Des Aigles (8-13) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 2f Grp 2 (1) sft in Oct.
Songcraft (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Took keen hold, tracked leader until settled in 3rd over 8f out, went 2nd again 2f out until ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 7l behind Camborne (10-0) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-110 (2) gs in Sep.
Bank Of Burden (USA) 25-1 (9-6) 6th of 14, 3l behind Certerach (9-4) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f hcp 105 gd in Jan.
Dabadiyan (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Sheikhzayedroad (9-3) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp std in Jan.
Topclas (FR) 16-1 (9-4) 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Certerach (9-4) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f hcp 105 gd in Jan.
Vasily 9-1 (9-1) 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Gabrial (9-4) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f hcp 0-110 gd in Jan.
Dormello (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) 8th of 14, 5l behind Certerach (9-4) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f hcp 105 gd in Jan.
Adroitly (AUS) 20-1 (8-13) 9th of 10, 20l behind Kassiano (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 3f hcp in Feb '13.
Aussie Reigns (IRE) 5-1 (8-8) 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Saxo Jack (8-6) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp gd in Jan.
Tanfeeth 10-1 (8-11) 13th of 14, 12l behind Excellent Result (8-6) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 6f hcp gd.
Empoli (GER) (8-11) 2nd of 7, 5l behind Meandre (9-6) at Cologne(GER) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
Sefri (USA) 33-1 (8-1) 8th of 14, 5l behind Saxo Jack (8-6) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp gd in Jan.
