ONE MAN BAND began the season on a mark of 88 and is now 22lb higher thanks to completing a hat-trick then finishing an excellent second in a Group 3. He should get back to winning ways here. Nolohay won a very strong handicap here a year ago and has competed at a high level in two subsequent starts but shown little. Heavy Metal landed a lesser handicap a year ago, when Giftorm was around three lengths behind, but has struggled since stepping up in grade though is back on the same mark while Over The Ocean, who does well in Scandanavia, hasn't proved himself in four starts here. Encipher doesn't win very often and is best at Jebel Ali but he's rarely beaten far in strong handicap company and could provide a threat.
One Man Band (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Soon led, ridden 400m out. ran on but headed final strides, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Confrontation (9-0) at Meydan 1m stks (1) fst in Feb.
Nolohay (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) last of 13, 26 1/4l behind Think Ahead (8-11) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp gd in Feb.
Heavy Metal 40-1 (9-2) 14th of 16, 10 1/2l behind Forries Waltz (9-5) at Meydan 1m hcp gf in Jan.
Over The Ocean (USA) 40-1 (8-10) 14th of 15, 10 1/4l behind Ertijaal (9-6) at Meydan 5f hcp gd in Feb.
Encipher (USA) (8-13) 6th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Ghaamer (8-13) at Abu Dhabi 7f (1) gd in Feb.
Giftorm (USA) 10-1 (8-11) 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Cool Cowboy (9-3) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Jan.
