The Singapore based Better Than Ever has a phenomenal record with one loss in 15 starts. He's been successful three times at this level and is definitely one for the short-list. Bankable was a fine runner-up to shock winner Al Shemali in this a year ago and Herman Brown has geared his whole year to going one better. Presvis ran poorly that day but is much better than that and Luca Cumani will have him fit to run for his life. He couldn't quite get to WIGMORE HALL in the Jebel Hatta three weeks ago and the winner, who was having his first start since October, was impressive enough to be given the nod to follow up. Mendip is progressing nicely and is having his first race on turf here. This is also his first Grade 1 start but is an obvious threat under Frankie. Johnny Murtagh has come in for an excellent ride on Strawberrydaiquiri, who can reverse recent running with River Jetez as she was having her first run since October that day. Derbaas has improved out of all recognition and just holds the classy Raihana on latest running but along with the USA-based Victor's Cry he has the worst of the draw.
Debussy (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) 13th of 14, 23l behind Twice Over (8-13) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f Group 2 stks (4yo+) (1).
Beauty Flash (NZ) (9-0) won at Sha Tin(HK) 7f stk gd beating Sunny King (9-0) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
River Jetez (SAF) 4-5fav (9-1) Rear of mid-division, smooth progress 500m out, led 100m out, ran on well, won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Grp 2 flls (1) gd in Feb beating Reem (8-9) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Royal Bench (IRE) (8-13) 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Beauty Flash (9-0) at Sha Tin(HK) 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in Dec.
Wigmore Hall (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Grp 2 (1) gd beating Poet's Voice (8-13) by nk, 12 ran.
Presvis 5-4fav (8-13) 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Wigmore Hall (8-13) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Grp 2 (1) gd.
Mendip (USA) 4-5fav (8-13) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1) beating Zafeen Speed (8-13) by nk, 14 ran.
Strawberrydaiquiri 7-2 (9-1) Rear of mid-division, ran on same pace final 400m, 5th of 11, 5l behind River Jetez (9-1) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Grp 2 flls (1) gd in Feb.
Bankable (IRE) 11-4fav (8-13) won at Meydan(UAE) 6f Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1) beating Conveyance (8-13) by 1l, 12 ran.
Rajsaman (FR) 16-1 (8-13) 6th of 14, 6l behind Twice Over (8-13) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f Group 2 stks (4yo+) (1).
Beethoven (IRE) (8-10) 3rd of 10, 3l behind Unknown Winner (0-0) at Dohar(QA) 1m 4f stk gd in Feb.
Better Than Ever (AUS) (9-1) won at Kranji(SNG) 1m Grp 3 std, 9 ran.
Tazeez (USA) 3-1fav (9-3) With leader, led 2f out, ridden and soon hung left, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gd in Oct beating Steele Tango (9-3) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Victor's Cry (USA) 9-2 (8-10) 3wd 2nd turn,late 3rd, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Fluke (8-8) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m stks fm in Feb.
Derbaas (USA) 8-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, led 400m out, ran on well, just held on, won at Meydan(UAE) 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Feb beating Raihana (8-9) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Raihana (AUS) 11-8fav (8-9) Mid-division, smooth progress 500m out, ran on well final 300m, nearest finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Derbaas (8-13) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Feb.
