GOLDEN WOOD won this for France last year by a short-head from Carbon Dating, who was receiving 5lb, and can complete a double. The winner didn't run again until October when scoring at Saint-Cloud then was just beaten on heavy going at Bordeaux. Zamaam, who was fourth a year ago, won twice subsequently including a Group 3 at Abu Dhabi so the form looks strong. Gold Star ran poorly when fancied for a Class 2 handicap at York after completing a double and that didn't look his form though Godolphin have plenty of other options including the lightly-raced Walton Street, a debut winner at Pontefract and successful in a Goodwood handicap before finding 1m6f and Listed company too much at the latter track. Primero will be ready for this after last month's narrow defeat at Lingfield while Empoli, a Group 1 winner in Germany, has been in excellent form at Abu Dhabi and would have won with a clear run there last time.
Best Solution (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Oct beating Raheen House (9-1) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Prize Money (9-6) last of 6, 13l behind Guignol (9-6) at Baden-Baden 1m 4f Grp 1 gd in Sep.
Zamaam (9-0) 6th of 16, 4 3/4l behind Hawkesbury (9-0) at Abu Dhabi 1m gd in Dec.
Rembrandt Van Rijn (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) 7th of 14, 10 1/2l behind Vazirabad (9-1) at Meydan 2m Grp 2 Yielding in Mar.
Golden Wood (FR) (9-3) 2nd of 8, shd behind Master Dan (8-12) at Bordeaux Le Bouscat 1m 1f stks hvy in Nov.
Carbon Dating (IRE) (9-0) 4th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Hawkesbury (9-0) at Abu Dhabi 1m gd in Dec.
Los Barbados (IRE) (9-0) 4th of 13, 9 1/4l behind Etijaah (9-0) at Meydan 1m 2f lst stks fst in Dec.
Proposed (9-2) 4th of 12, 1l behind Courtofversailles (9-1) at Doha 1m 4f gd in Apr.
Khusoosy (USA) (9-0) 12th of 13, dist behind Etijaah (9-0) at Meydan 1m 2f lst stks fst in Dec.
Empoli (GER) (9-6) 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Mustahdaf (9-0) at Abu Dhabi 1m 4f in Dec.
Gold Star 4-1 (9-4) Dwelt, always behind, last of 13, dist behind Brimham Rocks (8-8) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Majeed 12-1 (9-12) Slowly away in rear, very wide into straight 2f out, never on terms, 7th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Hajaam (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Midnight Chica (USA) 20-1 (9-1) last of 11, dist behind Active Spirit (9-1) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Dec.
Moonlight Dash (8-5) 10th of 12, 23l behind Frankyfourfingers (9-2) at Jebel Ali 1m stks fst in Dec.
Walton Street 4-1 (9-2) Settled in rea, strong headway on outside well over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 4 3/4l behind Call To Mind (9-2) at Goodwood 1m 6f lst stks (1) gd in Aug.
Busker (USA) 5-1 (9-6) 4th of 14, 14 3/4l behind Aslan (8-11) at Jebel Ali 1m 1f hcp fst in Dec.
Primero (FR) 6-4fav (9-9) Held up towards rear, plenty to do 2f out, ridden and headway entering final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Hajaam (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
