Aquaman won twice for Roger Varian and looks a nice acquisition for Doug Watson who also runs Mcmanaman, a winner over 7f here and staying on over that trip earlier this month. Almoreb's three UAE victories have been over Jebel Ali's stiff 7f while Franz Kafka was racing in much better company when last seen here two years ago. The latter is probably aiming for a spot at the Carnival so should be forward enough though Magical Land, a winner over the trip at Newmarket for Godolphin, is now with Mike De Kock and almost made a winning start for the yard over 7f earlier in the month. VALIANT PRINCE (NAP) earned a mark of 92 after landing a Chelmsford maiden by nine lengths in September. He'll have been earmarked for a crack at the Carnival races so needs to win this.
Aquaman (IRE) 11-8fav (9-7) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd and weakened entering final furlong, 3rd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Run To Freedom (9-1) at Newmarket 7f hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Almoreb (IRE) (9-8) 5th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Silent Film (9-10) at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Jan.
Valiant Prince (IRE) 1-40fav (9-2) Made all, shaken up and extended lead over 1f out, pushed out and stretched well clear inside final furlong, easily, won at Chelmsford City 1m stks (5) pol in Sep beating Arrange (8-11) by 9l, 6 ran.
Magical Land (IRE) (9-3) 2nd of 13, shd behind Silent Film (9-10) at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Jan.
Al Salt (IRE) (9-8) 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Ranchero (9-4) at Abu Dhabi 7f gd in Jan.
Melicertes (9-8) 11th of 13, 7 1/4l behind Dahawi (9-0) at Meydan 5f hcp gd in Jan.
Country (8-10) 6th of 10, 7 1/2l behind Alfareeq (9-3) at Abu Dhabi 7f gd in Dec.
Karaginsky (9-6) 7th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Alkaamel (9-11) at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Jan.
Moqarrab (USA) (9-3) won at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Dec beating Ranaan (8-8) by 4 1/4l, 7 ran.
Motawaj (8-7) 7th of 10, 13 1/2l behind Alfareeq (9-3) at Abu Dhabi 7f gd in Dec.
Mcmanaman (IRE) (9-2) 3rd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Alkaamel (9-11) at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Jan.
Manahir (FR) (9-4) 8th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Alkaamel (9-11) at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Jan.
My Swallow 11-4 (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden well over 2f out, kept on inside last, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Home Before Dusk (9-10) at Newcastle 1m hcp (3) pol in Jul.
Shanty Star (USA) (9-6) 10th of 11, 16 1/2l behind Ranchero (9-4) at Abu Dhabi 7f gd in Jan.
Day Approach (8-11) 7th of 14, 5l behind Chicago Star (8-11) at Kranji 6f (4) in Sep.
Ursa Minor (IRE) (8-10) 6th of 7, 18 1/4l behind Al Qaqaa (9-3) at Meydan 1m 2f stks fst in Nov.
Franz Kafka (IRE) (8-6) 2nd of 9, 1l behind Star Safari (8-7) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp gd in Feb.
Zhou Storm (9-10) 10th of 11, 15l behind Meraas (9-11) at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Dec.
Royal Mews (FR) 13-2 (9-10) Close up, pushed along to challenge and went left over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Fantastic Fox (9-6) at Haydock 1m hcp (3) sft in Aug.
Nibras Passion (9-7) 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Ranchero (9-4) at Abu Dhabi 7f gd in Jan.
