Verdict

Yulong Warrior didn't do much wrong when trained by Michael Halford in Ireland and if taking to the surface has to be on the short-list. His new trainer also runs Circle Dream, who made all and stayed on strongly over 6f on his debut here in November and is certain to improve though DAFFG, who finished a close third, may have his measure this time as he's 5lb better off despite just failing to catch Mazeed a couple of weeks later. Doublet completed an Epsom double for Mark Johnston in the summer and looked badly in need of the run on his first start here last month but Windsor winner Gotti makes his all-weather debut and hasn't run since July. Tale Of Fire won a 5f maiden on Dirt in the USA but connections must believe he stays this far while Rua Augusta showed plenty of promise for Kevin Ryan and the consistent Wasim showed up nicely in a handicap last month, his first start since a good run at Ascot.

Formwatch

Doublet (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) 6th of 14, 10l behind Moosir (9-6) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Dec.

Arroway (USA) 11-2 (8-10) 7th of 14, 10l behind Moosir (9-6) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Dec.

Circle Dream (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) won at Meydan 6f mdn stks fst in Nov beating Roy Orbison (9-5) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.

Gotti (USA) 5-1 (9-8) Close up, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 6, 15 1/2l behind Hey Gaman (9-2) at Yarmouth 6f stks (4) gf in Jul.

Tale Of Fire (USA) 9-5fav (8-9) 4-path, kept to task, won at Fort Erie 5f mdn fst in Jul beating Like Your Excuse (8-9) by shd, 5 ran.

Wasim (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) 3rd of 14, 3 1/4l behind Moosir (9-6) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Dec.

Daffg (USA) (8-7) 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Mazeed (9-4) at Meydan 1m mdn stks fst in Nov.

Grand Storm (USA) Proud Citizen colt out of Silent Joy.

Gundogdu (USA) (9-0) 11th of 14, 16 1/4l behind One Season (9-0) at Meydan 7f mdn stks fst in Dec.

Rougher (USA) (9-0) 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind One Season (9-0) at Meydan 7f mdn stks fst in Dec.

Rua Augusta (USA) 3-1 (9-2) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed and edged right towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Main Street (9-2) at Chelmsford City 1m stks (5) pol in Oct.

Yulong Warrior (USA) 9-2 (9-5) Soon led, 2 lengths clear halfway, under pressure and headed over 1f out, ridden under 1f out, kept on same pace, dropped to 4th close home, 3rd of 13, 3 1/4l behind Riyazan (9-5) at Curragh 7f mdn gd in Aug.

Tarnemah (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) 7th of 10, 24 1/2l behind Rayya (9-0) at Meydan 7f mdn fll stks fst in Dec.

Zahrat Jumeirah (USA) 9-1 (9-0) 4th of 10, 14 3/4l behind Rayya (9-0) at Meydan 7f mdn fll stks fst in Dec.

Last Desire (USA) (9-0) 6th of 14, 11 1/4l behind One Season (9-0) at Meydan 7f mdn stks fst in Dec.

Meqdaam (USA) Alternation colt out of Hollow Sky.

Indy Men's (USA) Orb colt out of Sam's Bliss.

Sa'ada (USA) 16-1 (9-0) 2nd of 10, 9 3/4l behind Rayya (9-0) at Meydan 7f mdn fll stks fst in Dec.