Pop The Hood was a Dirt specialist in the USA having won five times there. He's making his debut for Doug Watson, who also has ALMANAARA engaged. The latter ended last year's campaign with a very easy handicap victory over the course and distance and was badly in need of his comeback in a Listed contest last month. Honorable Treasure has been mixing it in smart company on Dirt in the USA, winning at Saratoga in August and runner-up to Grade 1 winner Audible in the $200,000 Cherokee Stakes at Churchill Downs in November. Another furlong wouldn't go amiss but a mark of 103 looks fair. I Kirk is a prolific winner in Scandinavia having won eight times including his last three. He's obviously useful but hasn't run since June. Laieth has won two of four starts in the UK but was beaten in a Wolverhampton handicap when odds-on last time. Wasim was in winning form here and at Jebel Ali early last year but looks a little high in the weights.
I Kirk (SWE) (9-6) won at Jagersro 6f pol in Jul beating Land's End (9-6) by 5l, 12 ran.
Honorable Treasure (USA) 11-10fav (8-6) Bumped backstretch, 3rd of 7, shd behind Copper Bullet (8-6) at Churchill Downs 7f fst in Nov.
Wasim (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) 6th of 10, 12 3/4l behind Drafted (9-0) at Meydan 6f lst stks fst in Dec.
Almanaara (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) 7th of 10, 20 1/2l behind Drafted (9-0) at Meydan 6f lst stks fst in Dec.
Pop The Hood (USA) 16-1 (8-8) Tkn back,5-4p trn,wknd, 4th of 5, 3 1/2l behind Always Sunshine (8-8) at Saratoga 6f stks fst in Aug.
Ennobled Friend (USA) 16-1 (8-13) 4th of 6, 11 1/4l behind Rocket Power (8-5) at Jebel Ali 1m stks fst in Dec.
Laieth 8-11fav (9-8) Tracked leader, led 2f out, driven entering final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 6, nk behind Tough Remedy (9-6) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Lavaspin 2-1fav (8-5) won at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Nov beating Alraased (8-5) by 5l, 8 ran.
