Dubai champion jockey Wayne Smith was on board Russian Rocket for the first time over the C&D a fortnight ago and though his mount faded after being headed before a furlong out he should go close here ridden with a little more restraint. However, he has plenty of weight to concede to Expire, a winner in Ireland for Peter Deegan, and Royston Ffrench's mount looks a big danger to all. Golden Shaheen and Firestreak are definitely capable of big runs at their best but this can go to Doug Watson via MUSAALEM, who had plenty of decent form in much better class than this last season and returned with a promising effort last month.
