Dream Castle began his first season with a Doncaster maiden victory and ended with a shock defeat in a Group 2 in Turkey. He wasn't beaten far in the Two Thousand Guineas so is obviously very smart and makes his handicap debut as does another Godolphin entry Salsabeel, who could be on a lenient mark if recapturing his juvenile form. Hawkesbury arrives in top form having comfortably landed a Listed contest at Abu Dhabi while Richard Hannon has a couple of entries and Pat Dobbs, who rides this track so well, can get a tune out of Sandown Listed winner Khafoo Shememi. Icy Trail won a Group 2 at Kenilworth just over a year ago and has transferred to Mike De Kock for a campaign here but the vote in a very open finale goes to HORNSBY, who was having only his second start for the in-form Saleem bin Ghadayer when winning very smoothly a fortnight ago.
Dream Castle (9-2) 2nd of 10, 1l behind Wonnemond (9-6) at Veliefendi 1m Grp 2 gs in Sep.
Hawkesbury (9-0) won at Abu Dhabi 1m gd in Dec beating Sharpalo (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 16 ran.
Khafoo Shememi (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Mostly chased leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed well inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 4th of 12, 1 1/4l behind Second Thought (9-0) at Kempton 1m lst stks (1) pol in Nov.
Icy Trail (SAF) 13-1 (9-3) 7th of 14, 3 3/4l behind Whisky Baron (9-4) at Kenilworth 1m 1f hcp gd in Jan.
Bold Rex (SAF) 50-1 (8-9) 10th of 11, 7 3/4l behind Legal Eagle (9-6) at Kenilworth 1m gd in Jan.
Salsabeel (IRE) (9-2) 12th of 13, 15 3/4l behind Brametot (9-2) at Deauville 1m stks gd in May.
The Grape Escape (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) 6th of 16, 4 3/4l behind D'bai (9-3) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Jan.
Top Score 13-2 (9-12) Chased leaders on outside, ridden 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, no impression, 4th of 8, 1 3/4l behind Solomon's Bay (9-8) at Kempton 6f stks (3) pol in Oct.
George William 25-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, 16th of 20, 11 1/4l behind Lord Glitters (9-3) at Ascot 1m hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Adventurous (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 16 1/2l behind Tabarrak (8-13) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gf in May.
Hornsby 6-1 (9-6) won at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Jan beating Ajwad (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Hors De Combat 50-1 (9-2) Mid-division, weakening when hampered over 2f out, 15th of 20, 11 1/4l behind Lord Glitters (9-3) at Ascot 1m hcp (2) sft in Oct.
London Protocol (FR) 33-1 (9-2) Led until pushed along and headed over 2f out, chased leaders, ridden inside final 2f, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 9 1/4l behind Second Thought (9-0) at Kempton 1m lst stks (1) pol in Nov.
Mastermind (SAF) 50-1 (8-11) 13th of 14, 17 1/4l behind Suyoof (9-0) at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Feb.
Vin Chaud (FR) (9-0) 9th of 16, 9 3/4l behind Hawkesbury (9-0) at Abu Dhabi 1m gd in Dec.
Mata Utu (IRE) (9-0) 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Alwina (8-7) at Cologne 7f sft in Oct.
Azraff (IRE) (8-13) last of 12, dist behind Frankyfourfingers (9-2) at Jebel Ali 1m stks fst in Dec.
Portamento (IRE) 66-1 (8-5) last of 16, 20 1/2l behind Ertijaal (9-6) at Meydan 5f hcp fst in Jan.
