The three-year-old BLUE CREEK, by Street Cry out of the brilliant Blue Bunting, started odds-on for his debut here on New Year's Day and had no problems seeing off a moderate field including Tobaco, who runs earlier. He's still in the Derby but the classics here are likely to be the target and this looks a logical step. Conquerant's only victory was at Catterick but he's run well here several times though he has nothing in hand of Entifaadha on their run behind Ajraam a fortnight ago. The veteran Marching Time also ran at that same meeting though not very well and he's now had 19 starts on the all-weather without winning. Taqneen scored at Thirsk for Ed Dunlop but hasn't run since August and Hammurabi takes a big step-up in trip after a close third over 6f at Jebel Ali. Amaan gained his only success to date over a mile on that track but regular pilot Paul Hanagan has chosen Marching Time.
Conquerant 9-2 (8-13) 3rd of 8, 6 1/2l behind Ajraam (9-6) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Jan.
Marching Time 7-1 (9-1) 6th of 10, 9 3/4l behind Udododontu (9-1) at Meydan 1m hcp gf in Jan.
Active Spirit (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) last of 10, dist behind Stormardal (9-0) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Jan.
Entifaadha 16-1 (8-10) 4th of 8, 6 1/2l behind Ajraam (9-6) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Jan.
Taqneen (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Advance (9-3) at Newcastle 1m hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Hammurabi (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Dairam (9-4) at Jebel Ali 6f hcp fst in Jan.
Blue Creek 1-2fav (8-7) won at Meydan 1m mdn stks fst in Jan beating Tobaco (8-11) by 5l, 15 ran.
Amaan (USA) (8-8) 4th of 13, 12 1/4l behind Makzon (8-4) at Abu Dhabi 1m gd in Jan.
