Zarak's close second to the brilliant Almanzor in the French Derby at Chantilly then his close second to him at Deauville is comfortably the best form on view and if he's ready after a break he'll take all the beating. Elliptique is penalised for his Group 1 victory in Germany but had a run in the Hong Kong Cup in December so should be somewhere near his peak. Sanshaawes returned to winning ways in a very strong handicap here a couple of weeks ago but the filly PROMISING RUN looks the one to beat. She had two excellent runs behind the high-class Polar River here a year ago and returned to the track with an emphatic Group 2 victory last month and her allowance is a bonus. Earnshaw doesn't win often but was closing on the selection over slightly shorter last time so has to be respected.
Sanshaawes (SAF) 9-4fav (9-5) won at Meydan 1m 2f hcp gd in Feb beating Dylan Mouth (9-6) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Elliptique (IRE) (9-0) 7th of 12, 4 3/4l behind Maurice (9-0) at Sha Tin 1m 2f Grp 1 gd in Dec.
Manson 5-1 (9-0) Close up, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 5 1/2l behind Battalion (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f stks (2) pol in Nov.
Zarak (FR) (8-9) 3rd of 9, 2l behind Potemkin (8-13) at Chantilly 1m 2f Grp 2 stks gd in Oct.
Earnshaw (USA) 16-1 (9-0) 3rd of 0, 1 3/4l behind Promising Run (8-8) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jan.
Elite Excalibur (AUS) 13-2 (9-6) 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Cymric (9-5) at Meydan 1m hcp gd in Feb.
Fauvism (USA) (9-0) 6th of 11, 12 3/4l behind Bluff (9-6) at Jebel Ali 1m 2f hcp fst in Dec.
Master The World (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) 4th of 10, 6 1/2l behind Sanshaawes (9-5) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp gd in Feb.
Khusoosy (USA) 14-1 (9-2) 8th of 10, 16 1/4l behind Sanshaawes (9-5) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp gd in Feb.
Promising Run (USA) 4-1 (8-8) won at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jan beating Gabrial (9-0), 0 ran.
