The locals have won this for the past eight years and their champion, Sacred Kingdom, was successful in 2007 and last year. However, this time it could be the turn of Singapore-based ROCKET MAN to beat off the home challenge. An unlucky loser of the Golden Shaheen at Meydan in March, Patrick Shaw's brilliant sprinter is unbeaten in his last three starts including the trial for this where he dead-heated with One World, who was receiving 5lb. Sacred Kingdom wasn't far behind from a bad draw and will give his all to gain his third success in the race but there could be more of a threat from the inexperienced pair Little Bridge and Lucky Nine, who were also involved in that close trial finish. Kingsgate Native is drawn right on the inside which may not suit and a place is probably the best Sir Michael Stoute's charge can hope for.
