Sloane Avenue was drawn out with the washing in last year's renewal but was still only beaten a short-head by Tamarkuz, who had the coveted inside berth. Jeremy Noseda's charge had a four-month absence to overcome a year ago but had a nice prep run at Kempton last month and will be spot on. Doug Watson has been in superb form all winter and his trio of One Man Band, Faulkner and Cool Cowboy have greatly contributed to his tally. The latter may come out best though he was narrowly beaten by Maftool in a handicap over the track and trip last month and there doesn't appear to be any reason for a form reversal. Prayer For Relief wasn't beaten far in that latter race though only finished mid-division in this last year while Le Bernardin, who landed a Group 2 in January, is held by Cool Cowboy on latest running. MARKING, runner-up to the brilliant Runhappy in the Group 1 Malibu at Santa Anita on Boxing Day, unshipped James Doyle at the start when odds-on for his debut here last month before making amends with a very impressive victory under top weight in a handicap. That was over 6f but he's won over this trip at Aqueduct and this should prove within his capabilities.
One Man Band (IRE) (9-6) won at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Feb beating Heavy Metal (9-0) by 6l, 6 ran.
Marking (USA) (9-6) won at Meydan 6f hcp fst in Feb beating Kifaah (9-1) by 2l, 10 ran.
Faulkner (9-0) 3rd of 12, 7 1/4l behind Special Fighter (9-0) at Meydan 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) fst in Mar.
Maftool (USA) (9-5) won at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Feb beating Cool Cowboy (9-6) by 1/2l, 23 ran.
Gold City (IRE) (9-0) 11th of 12, 21 1/4l behind Special Fighter (9-0) at Meydan 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) fst in Mar.
God's Speed (IRE) (9-6) 5th of 10, 5 1/2l behind at Janadriyah 1m stks (1) fst in Mar.
Cool Cowboy (USA) (9-0) won at Meydan 1m Grp 3 stks (1) fst in Mar beating Ross (9-0) by 3 3/4l, 8 ran.
Sloane Avenue (USA) 4-6fav (9-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner over 1f out, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1l behind Captain Cat (9-2) at Kempton 1m stks (2) pol in Feb.
Prayer For Relief (USA) (9-0) 8th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Tryster (9-0) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Mar.
Le Bernardin (USA) (9-0) 3rd of 8, 4 1/4l behind Cool Cowboy (9-0) at Meydan 1m Grp 3 stks (1) fst in Mar.
