Verdict

The shortest priced winner of the previous three renewals returned at 8/1 but it could prove less open this year given the presence of MICKDAAM. He's clear on official ratings and his form at Meydan last month stands out as he won a Listed event before finishing fourth in the UAE Derby when trained by Mike De Kock. He's now back with Richard Fahey and looks a cut above these as he beat Entifaadha in Dubai and the latter also has a few lengths to find with the returning Coupe De Ville on last year's running at this track. Richard Hannon's charge looks a threat stepping up in trip as he had Irish raider Alkazim behind last season when scoring over 7f while the lightly-raced pair Handsome Man and Ellaal have plenty of scope and are worth noting for the future.

Formwatch

Alkazim (IRE) 2-1 (9-0) Held up in touch and took keen hold, ridden on inner entering straight, went 3rd final furlong, kept on without threatening, 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Light Heavy (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 3yo stk gd in Mar.

Amira's Prince (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Prominent and soon led, stayed on well under pressure from over 1f out, won at Curragh 1m 3yo mdn in Mar beating Speaking Of Which (9-5) by 3 1/2l, 15 ran.

Benbecula 11-4 (8-7) Led, hung badly right soon after start and briefly headed, ridden clear over 1f out, headed near finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Dark Stranger (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.

Chapter Seven 12-1 (8-11) Held up behind, driven and headway on far side rail inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong to lead towards finish, won at Musselburgh 1m 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gs beating Evervescent (8-11) by nk, 12 ran.

Coupe de Ville (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Held up mid-division, lost place when short of room and hampered halfway, switched right and headway entering final 2f, edged left inside final furlong, ridden to lead towards finish, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo aut (2) gf in Oct beating Tell Dad (9-3) by 1l, 16 ran.

Daghash 16-1 (9-5) Behind, headway far side over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 13, 4l behind Brimstone Hill (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.

Ellaal 5-2 (9-0) Prominent, joined leader halfway, led over 1f out, ran on, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct beating Periphery (9-0) by shd, 15 ran.

Entifaadha 14-1 (8-9) 13th of 14, 27l behind Daddy Long Legs (8-9) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Group 2 sks (1) in Mar.

Ex Oriente (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Kingsdesire (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd.

Handsome Man (IRE) 7-2fav (9-3) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Yarmouth 1m 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct beating Moshaagib (9-3) by 1/2l, 14 ran.

Mickdaam (IRE) 9-2 (8-9) 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Daddy Long Legs (8-9) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Group 2 sks (1) in Mar.

Rock Supreme (IRE) 80-1 (9-3) In touch, weakened over 2f out, 15th of 16, 23l behind Coupe de Ville (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo aut (2) gf in Oct.

Rougemont (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Prominent, pushed along 4f out, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Mojave (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f 2yo stks (3) gd in Oct.

Arsaadi (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon hung right, effort when not clear run approaching final furong, never troubled leaders, 5th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Laugh Out Loud (8-12) at Kempton 1m flls stks (2) pol.