Godolphin are making a major play for this with six entries. DREAM CASTLE was in brilliant form here at the beginning of last year, completing a hat-trick under Christophe Soumillon, culminating in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta. He had stable companion Loxley almost seven lengths behind and should confirm the form on these terms. Desert Fire, another wearing the blue, won a handicap on his reappearance here a year ago and continued to run well in high level handicaps. He arrives on the back of a victory at Chelmsford though could now be a few pounds high. First Nation has a very similar profile to the latter having returned to action here a year ago with a comprehensive handicap victory and he's only 4lb higher. The lightly-raced Art Du Val may well be the fly in the ointment here as he's 3-5, including an impressive victory in a conditions' race here in February, and he was badly impeded in his latest start.
Astronomer (IRE) 22-1 (9-6) last of 14, dist behind Mountain Hunter (9-1) at Meydan 1m 4f hcp gd in Feb.
Dream Castle (9-4) 11th of 0, 13 3/4l behind at Moonee Valley 1m Grp 2 gd in Oct.
Dubai Horizon (IRE) (9-3) 8th of 12, 5 1/4l behind Universal Order (8-5) at Meydan 1m 4f hcp lst gd in Jan.
First Nation (9-5) 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Ashrun (8-9) at Deauville 1m 4f Grp 3 stks gd in Aug.
Certain Lad 11-4fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, held on well, won at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Sep beating Nicholas T (9-10) by nk, 10 ran.
Simsir (IRE) 5-2fav (9-8) Chased clear leader, 5th 4f out, headway early straight and ridden to lead 1f out, soon edged right and kept on, headed close home, 2nd of 13, hd behind Charcor (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Desert Fire (IRE) 7-2 (9-12) Chased leaders, challenged over 1f out, led and edged right inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Sep beating Dubai Warrior (9-2) by nk, 6 ran.
Famous Wolf (FR) (8-13) 4th of 5, 4 3/4l behind Benbatl (9-4) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 2 stks gd in Jan.
Art Du Val 7-2 (9-1) Chased leaders on outside, ridden when went left and badly hampered inside final 2f, no chance after, eased, 7th of 9, 15 1/4l behind Duke Of Hazzard (9-1) at Goodwood 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Loxley (IRE) 9-4fav (9-6) Held up, headway going well when not much room just inside 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, challenged final furlong, held close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Pablo Escobarr (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f lst stks (1) pol in Dec.
Big Country (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) In touch, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, weakened entering final furlong, 5th of 7, 11 1/2l behind Coolagh Forest (8-6) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
