Richard Hannon has his first runner at this year's Carnival in Zurigha, first past the post in all three starts on Kempton's Polytrack and now racing on Turf. He's a Listed winner as is John Ryan's Tenor, who has won seven times and should prove better than stablemate Ocean Tempest, who has already had two runs here this year. The former had Steeler behind at Bath in September and the latter never recaptured the sort of form that saw him land the Royal Lodge in 2012. Our Channel took his chance in the Derby after completing a double and, though out with the washing at Epsom, he was placed in Group races abroad twice subsequently. He could still be on the upgrade and can get into the frame. The South African Rock Cocktail hasn't run for over a year and stablemate Umgiyo also has a long absence to overcome. Mike De Kock's third entry, Disa Leader, is in the veteran stage but has generally gone well here in the past without managing a victory. PILOTE (NAP) had smart form in Group company in France before making his debut here in a Listed contest a fortnight agao. He was staying on at the finish behind True Story after being set plenty to do and can take this from the same mark.
Ocean Tempest 25-1 (9-6) 5th of 10, 5l behind Haafaguinea (9-1) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp gd.
Tenor (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Pressed leader, ridden 3f out, slightly outpaced and dropped to 4th 2f out, rallied inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Complicit (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f stks (3yo+) (2) pol in Dec.
Steeler (IRE) Evensfav (9-2) Slowly into stride, chased leaders, hard ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on well, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Tenor (9-0) at Bath 1m cond Stakes (3) fm in Sep.
Our Channel (USA) (8-12) 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Glory Awaits (9-6) at Veliefendi(TUR) 1m Grp 2 (1) hvy in Sep.
Rock Cocktail (AUS) 8-1 (9-10) Cast l/f shoe, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Whiteline Fever (9-10) at Turffontein(SAF) 1m stks gd in Dec '13.
Zurigha (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and no impression final furlong, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Berkshire (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Disa Leader (SAF) 12-1 (9-4) 11th of 14, 18l behind Faulkner (8-13) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp.
Umgiyo (AUS) 5-1 (9-2) Eased late, 7th of 12, 5l behind Louis The King (9-2) at Turffontein(SAF) 1m 1f 3yo Grp 1 gd in Mar.
Validus 4-1fav (9-4) 13th of 16, 6l behind Zain Shamardal (9-6) at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp in Jan '14.
