Bill Mott's ROYAL DELTA, a dual Breeders' Cup winner, was well beaten behind Monterosso in this last year but was impeded at a crucial stage and had no chance after. She's been in outstanding form subsequently and can take the world's richest race for the USA. Monterosso was well beaten in the Eclipse at Sandown and on his reappearance behind Hunter's Light and Kassiano in what looked a sub-standard Group 1 three weeks ago and has hardly had the best preparation and Godolphin have a much stronger chance with Hunter's Light, who has the advantage of being in superb form at the Carnival. Animal Kingdom, the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner, was an unlucky loser in the Breeders' Cup Mile in November and had a nice pipe-opener at Gulfstream last month. He'll be in the firing line while Dullahan, who beat a high-class field in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar in August, had a recent run round here and will have been primed for this. Hong Kong Vase winner Red Cadeaux may find this on the short side but last year's Godolphin Mile winner African Story showed himself in good heart with a smooth Group 3 victory earlier this month. Planteur, an excellent third in this last year, warmed up with a smooth victory at Lingfield last month and can't be ignored.
Treasure Beach 12-1 (9-0) 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Hunter's Light (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1).
Red Cadeaux 10-1 (9-0) won at Sha Tin(HK) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Dec beating Jaguar Mail (9-0) by shd, 12 ran.
Dullahan (USA) 11-2 (9-0) 11th of 14, 15l behind African Story (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1).
Hunter's Light (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1) beating Kassiano (9-0) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Capponi (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) 2nd of 13, 3l behind Monterosso (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Mar '12.
Side Glance 14-1 (9-0) 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Sajjhaa (8-9) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Grp 1 (1) gd.
Planteur (IRE) 2-5fav (9-0) Made all, quickened 3 lengths clear entering final 2f, idled and kept up to work inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 2f Listed stks (1) pol in Feb beating Miblish (8-13) by nk, 9 ran.
Royal Delta (USA) 2-5fav (8-11) Hopped start, widened, won at Gulfstream(USA) 1m Group 3 in Feb beating All For Thee (8-5) by 5l, 5 ran.
Meandre (FR) (9-6) 4th of 8, 7l behind Silas Marner (8-13) at Chantilly(FR) 1m 4yo stk fbs.
African Story 11-4fav (9-0) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1) beating Capital Attraction (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Animal Kingdom (USA) 4-5fav (8-9) Led into str, gave way, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Point Of Entry (8-11) at Gulfstream(USA) 1m 1f Grp 1 hcp gd in Feb.
Kassiano (GER) 6-1 (9-0) 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Hunter's Light (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1).
Monterosso 6-1 (9-0) 9th of 12, 13l behind Hunter's Light (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1).
