This is a teaser especially with the unexposed former Aidan O'Brien-trained Royal Navy Ship now sailing under new colours and having his first start on Dirt. Secret Brief landed the Tattersalls Millions for Mark Johnston in 2014 and though unable to add to that victory for Godolphin generally ran well in tough handicaps. American Hope's form isn't quite up to this but he's expected to prove better on Dirt and has to be respected. Energia Colonial and Vortex win their share in Scandanavia but the former has been well beaten here in the past while it's difficult to know what to make of Success Story's form in South Korea. The veteran TIZ NOW TIZ THEN was having his first start since March when beating the strongly fancied Nathr over the track and trip last week. This is a better race but with fitness and form on his side he's taken to complete a quick double.
Mind That Boy (IRE) (8-11) 5th of 11, 3 1/4l behind Red Dubawi (9-1) at San Siro 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Sep.
Silver Ocean (USA) (9-4) 5th of 6, 4 1/4l behind Avon Pearl (9-4) at Taby 1m (1) gd in Oct.
Energia Colonial (BRZ) (0-0) won at Taby 1m in Nov
Mustadeem (IRE) 7-2 (9-6) 15th of 16, 11 3/4l behind Forries Waltz (9-5) at Meydan 1m hcp gf in Jan.
Royal Navy Ship (USA) 11-2 (9-4) Rear of mid-division, some progress in 9th entering straight, ridden to go 2nd 1 1/2f out, under pressure and no impression on winner 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Intisari (8-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Aug.
Unforgiving Minute 20-1 (9-1) last of 8, 13 1/2l behind Nawwaar (8-10) at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Jan.
American Hope (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Raced far side, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 30, 3 1/4l behind Gm Hopkins (9-3) at Ascot 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Secret Brief (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Steadeid start, held up well in rear, headway and switched left 2f out, ridden over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish but not quite pace to challenge, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Energia Davos (9-4) at Ascot 1m hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Success Story (QA) (0-0) won at Busan 6f fst in Nov
Top Clearance (USA) (9-0) 8th of 0, 7 3/4l behind Le Bernardin (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 2 stks fst in Jan.
Vortex (NOR) (0-0) won at Ovrevoll 1m in Nov
Fox Trotter (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 16, 3 1/4l behind Majestic Moon (8-10) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Tiz Now Tiz Then (USA) 16-1 (9-5) won at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Jan beating Nathr (8-9) by 2l, 8 ran.
Bannock (IRE) (8-13) 5th of 6, 6 1/2l behind Mashaaref (9-5) at Jebel Ali 7f stks fst in Nov.
Greatest Journey 4-1 (9-6) Close up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 5th of 7, 8 1/4l behind Mutasayyid (8-6) at Newmarket 1m hcp (2) gf in May.
