The top four rated here are separated by just 4lb. Paul Hanagan has been quickly into his stride back in the UAE and completed a double at the weekend. The former UK champion jockey was on board Nolohay when Musabah Al Muhairi's charge won a tough handicap over the track and trip in February and, with the stable continuing to fire in the winners, he looks certain to make a bold bid. He's rated 2lb behind GOLD CITY and Satish Seemar's charge should have the call. He was well beaten on his reappearance in this race a year ago but produced several excellent runs behind the classy Tamarkuz in Group races later though he has little in hand of Layl, who was just half-a-length behind when they occupied the places in a Group 3 in March. Le Bernardin finished just in front of the selection in this last year but already had a run under his belt which isn't the case this time. Ennobled Friend, runner-up a year ago, had been in action twice previously in the run-up and was behind Le Bernardin in the Al Maktoum Challenge. Need To Know and Muhtaram complete the line-up and have fitness on their side but don't look quite good enough.
Le Bernardin (USA) (9-0) 6th of 0, 16 1/2l behind African Story (9-0) at Meydan 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) fst in Mar.
Gold City (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) 8th of 15, 7 1/2l behind Tamarkuz (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 2 pol in Mar.
Layl (USA) 20-1 (9-0) 7th of 15, 3 1/4l behind Tamarkuz (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 2 pol in Mar.
Ennobled Friend (USA) 10-1 (9-2) 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Heavy Metal (9-1) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Feb.
Muhtaram (8-6) 3rd of 7, 7 3/4l behind One Man Band (8-9) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Nov.
Need To Know (SAF) (9-2) 2nd of 7, 5l behind One Man Band (8-9) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Nov.
Nolohay (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) won at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Feb beating Tinghir (8-11) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
