Alraased had been racing over a mile before dropping down to the minimum at Al Ain and just getting up. However, he's shot up the ratings and his stable companion Scrutineer, a triple winner for Mick Channon, may have a better chance after finishing runner-up three times on this track. Mushaakis also represents the yard and he's managed to win nine times though he's never run well here. Satish Seemar's RIFLESCOPE isn't the most consistent but is well handicapped if anywhere near his best and Richard Mullen can steer him home. Ajwad finished in front of him last time though that was over 7f and he'd earlier been put in his place by Ejbaar, also trained by Seemar, over the minimum.
Sharp Defence (USA) 33-1 (9-6) 5th of 16, 3l behind Hornsby (9-6) at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Jan.
Mushaakis (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Ormindo (8-8) at Jebel Ali 7f hcp fst in Dec.
Riflescope (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) 4th of 16, 2 3/4l behind Hornsby (9-6) at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Jan.
Scrutineer (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Drafted (9-0) at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Jan.
Ajwad 16-1 (8-13) 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Hornsby (9-6) at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Jan.
Mukhmal (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) 3rd of 16, 2l behind Hornsby (9-6) at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Jan.
Sahaafy (USA) 12-1 (9-6) 12th of 16, 14 1/4l behind Hornsby (9-6) at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Jan.
Munshid (IRE) (9-3) last of 14, 24 3/4l behind Empoli (9-2) at Abu Dhabi 1m 3f in Nov.
Zaraee (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) 7th of 13, 10 1/2l behind Muaanid (9-1) at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Dec.
Speedy Move (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) 7th of 10, 13 1/4l behind Secret Ambition (8-7) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Jan.
Ejaaby 13-2 (8-10) 6th of 12, 6 3/4l behind Ormindo (8-8) at Jebel Ali 7f hcp fst in Dec.
Ejbaar 5-1fav (8-11) 8th of 16, 7l behind Hornsby (9-6) at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Jan.
Kahrab (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) last of 8, 10 3/4l behind Farook (9-4) at Jebel Ali 5f hcp fst in Jan.
Strong Challenge (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) 14th of 16, dist behind Farook (9-1) at Jebel Ali 6f hcp fst in Dec.
Alraased (USA) (9-8) won at Al Ain 5f in Dec beating Anbar (9-5) by ns, 13 ran.