Simon Crisford has his first runner here with Knavery, a winner at Kempton for Roger Varian. Street Act is consistent and scored here in November though that was a minor handicap over 7f. Shihab arrives in fine shape having won at Al Ain last month though a line through the runner-up gives him plenty to find with Street Act. Jeeraan and Layl represent the in-form Doug Watson and both have a shout despite long absences while the former Jim Bolger-trained Tonabrocky made a successful debut here a year ago following a break. STORMARDAL, a winner at Ripon and Carlisle, looks just the type for this so should make a bold bid in a tricky contest.
Asatir (USA) 10-3 (8-9) 5th of 8, 8l behind Shamaal Nibras (8-9) at Jebel Ali(UAE) 7f hcp in Dec.
Stormardal (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 2l behind Yaakooum (8-11) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Sep.
Lord Provost (IRE) (8-10) 5th of 12, 17l behind Ukrainian (9-1) at Abu Dhabi(UAE) 1m 4f hcp gd.
Layl (USA) 11-4 (9-3) Tracked leaders, 3rd and driven over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead narrowly inside final furlong, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Masterful Act (9-9) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (0-90) (3) fbs in Jan '14.
Tonabrocky (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) 9th of 14, 10l behind Ducab (9-4) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f hcp in Mar.
Knavery (USA) 5-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Tinghir (9-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-95 (3) in Oct.
Street Act (USA) 3-1fav (8-11) won at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp (2yo+) in Nov beating Centrifugal (9-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Shihab (IRE) (8-9) won at Al Ain(UAE) 1m hcp in Dec, 13 ran.
