Nathr won a lower-grade handicap at the meeting a year ago in a canter then gained a similarly facile victory in March. However, he's 10lb higher and this is a better class contest. ACTIVE SPIRIT beat him 5l into second when receiving 1lb in February and ended the campaign just failing to hang on over 1m2f so he's handed the vote. The lightly-raced Philosopher won his opening two runs for Andre Fabre but has a very long absence to overcome as has Talyani, three times a winner for William Haggas last summer, but Stormardal looks to have a good chance. He won twice here last winter including a similar grade contest from 4lb lower. USA import Patent showed some promise at Jebel Ali on Friday and Tadhg O'Shea takes over from an apprentice.
Nathr (USA) (9-5) won at Meydan 1m 1f hcp fst in Mar beating Brabbham (9-6) by 9 1/4l, 0 ran.
Philosopher (IRE) (8-13) 3rd of 6, 1/4l behind Mc Queen (8-13) at Maisons-Laffitte 1m stks gd in Jul.
Stormardal (IRE) (9-0) won at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Mar beating Tried And True (8-11) by 1 1/4l, 0 ran.
Active Spirit (IRE) (9-3) 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Brabbham (8-6) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Feb.
Filfil (USA) 8-1 (9-5) last of 8, dist behind Tiz Now Tiz Then (9-5) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Jan.
Gavroche (USA) (8-6) 5th of 8, 5 3/4l behind Shaishee (9-2) at Jebel Ali 7f stks fst in Mar.
Shaakis (IRE) (8-8) 4th of 0, 8l behind Sahaafy (9-6) at Jebel Ali 7f hcp fst in Mar.
Cornrow 8-1jfav (8-11) Raced near side, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 13th of 27, 17 1/2l behind Bronze Angel (9-5) at Ascot 1m hcp (2) hvy in Oct.
Patent (USA) (9-2) 4th of 10, 6 1/2l behind Enery (8-9) at Jebel Ali 1m hcp fst in Oct.
Talyani 5-1fav (8-10) Mid-division on outside, outpaced 2f out, soon weakened, 15th of 19, 27 1/4l behind My Dream Boat (9-0) at York 1m hcp (2) gs in Aug.
