The superbly-bred CROSS GRAIN came in for sustained support on his belated racecourse debut over 7f here a month ago and never gave connections a moment's concern. This is a step up in class as he makes his handicap debut but he can go in again as State Law, who finished third in that contest, has since scored over this trip so the form looks useful. Colour Guard found 1m2f stretching his stamina last time and this is his trip while Top Joker looked a smart prospect when beating Shaishee in a Newmarket maiden last summer but hasn't been seen subsequently, which is an obvious concern. Sowaylm was well behind Kahruman at Jebel Ali in October but has done much better subsequently and his second to Satwa Story here a fortnight ago would put him in the frame.