Fanciful Angel is upped 5lb after winning over track and trip three weeks ago. American Hope won over 7f here last year but was well beaten on his reappearance behind Arcanada and fourth-placed Elite Excalibur so a chance is taken on another Godolphin runner in CYMRIC. The latter makes his handicap debut having competed in pattern company last year with a fourth in the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Ascot his best effort. He’s returning from an absence but Charlie Appleby has been firing in the winners and he could have the edge over Dark Emerald, runner-up in last year’s Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.
Dark Emerald (IRE) (9-0) 5th of 8, 10 3/4l behind Championship (9-0) at Meydan 7f gd in Jan.
Elite Excalibur (AUS) 16-1 (9-0) 4th of 0, 3 3/4l behind Promising Run (8-8) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jan.
Fanciful Angel (IRE) 9-2cfav (9-4) won at Meydan 1m hcp gd in Jan beating Hors De Combat (9-2) by 1l, 16 ran.
American Hope (USA) (9-1) 14th of 16, 9 1/4l behind Flash Fire (9-1) at Meydan 7f hcp gf in Jan.
Cymric (USA) 14-1 (9-1) Traced leading trio, pushed along and every chance 2f out, soon ridden and hung right, chased leaders, weakening quickly when slightly hampered inside final furlong, soon behind and eased, last of 9, 11 1/2l behind Thikriyaat (9-1) at Goodwood 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Arcanada (IRE) (9-0) 13th of 16, 7l behind Flash Fire (9-1) at Meydan 7f hcp gf in Jan.
Limario (EG) 16-1 (9-6) 11th of 16, 10 1/2l behind Fanciful Angel (9-4) at Meydan 1m hcp gd in Jan.
Muwaary (AUS) 25-1 (8-13) 12th of 14, 20l behind Baccarat (9-4) at Meydan 6f hcp gd in Jan.
