Dane O'Neill has started the new season in UAE in tremendous style with Friday's Jebel Ali hat-trick the highlight so far. He was on board Ajraam when Musabah Al Muairi's charge gained a battling victory over the course and distance two weeks ago and a 7lb rise shouldn't prevent another big effort. Tadhg O'Shea is another jockey in form and the former UAE champion can take this on TAMAATHUL, who was just over four lengths behind the winner in that latter event but missed the break badly before staying on well. The remaining quartet are capable of winning at this level but all have absences to overcome. Not A Given prefers a longer trip; Deauville Group 3 winner My Catch was out of form on Turf here last season; Ebn Arab hasn't really looked like winning since showing promise in the UK but Merhee is useful on his day and reappeared with a cracking effort here last year so may not be too difficult to get ready.
Merhee (AUS) 16-1 (9-6) 9th of 15, 8 1/4l behind Dark Emerald (9-3) at Meydan 6f hcp stks gd in Feb.
My Catch (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) 13th of 16, 10 3/4l behind Dark Emerald (9-0) at Meydan 7f hcp pol in Feb.
Not A Given (USA) 7-1 (8-13) 4th of 8, 4l behind Al Razi (8-6) at Jebel Ali 7f stks fst in Mar.
Tamaathul 14-1 (9-3) 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Ajraam (8-11) at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Nov.
Ajraam (USA) 9-4fav (8-11) won at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Nov beating Life Partner (8-11) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Ebn Arab (USA) (8-6) 5th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Muarrab (9-5) at Jebel Ali 5f stks fst in Feb.
