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2.55
I, along with many others, thought that SECRECY was almost a cert when he raced here a fortnight ago but he was beaten into third that day when a very strong favourite. His race behind the ultra-consistent Snaafy was a respectable effort and he may improve for his first run of the season. However, he shall have to overcome the burden of top weight and a potentially difficult draw on his tapeta debut but he seems to be well regarded by connections and is one to follow if well supported. Brian Meehan’s Gallagher is another that put in a decent performance earlier in the Carnival and is respected.

3.30
Espiritu took a while to get into the race on his latest start and may appreciate the extra furlong on offer this evening. Nevertheless, KING OF ROME is fancied to notch up his second win at this year’s Carnival despite a 5lb rise in the weights. He won with consummate ease just over a fortnight ago so, with the yard in fine form, Mike De Kock’s charge should be able to get his head in front once again. Another that has shown form at the Carnival is Luca Cumani’s Drunken Sailor. Kieren Fallon seemed to get a good tune out of him on the opening night at Meydan when winning a competitive handicap but he has been penalised rather harshly for that success so may be best watched on this occasion.

4.05
GLOBAL CITY just got up on the line over course and distance earlier this month so, if able to defy a 4lb rise in the weights, should have a great chance in this evening’s contest. Runner-up on that occasion, Montpellier, was unlucky to lose but he seems to now be in the handicapper’s grip as he goes to post off of a career high mark. As a result, the toughest challenge may come from India as Oasis Star bids to go one better than a fortnight ago. She didn’t get a clear run that day and still finished a close second so is respected if able to reproduce that level of form.

4.50
Former Marco Botti horse, Falcativ, was once a strong fancy for the Ebor but he failed to live up to the hype somewhat. Nevertheless, his last two victories on the all-weather back in December have shown that he retains a fair amount of ability so he ought to be one to watch on his Meydan debut. However, it is hard to not be taken by Godolphin’s FIREBET. The four-year-old shall be making his first start for new connections since making the switch from Richard Fahey’s stable and has most impressive form figures as he has a strike rate of over 50% on his eleven career starts. His former owner suggested that he could be of the highest quality as a Group 1 or 2 race could be well within his capabilities, so a mark of 108 in this handicap looks rather lenient.

5.25
Stoic was well beaten into second here on his only start but the winner has since come out and ran well again so he can be given a chance. Although, the stand-out horse in the field has to be EAGLE MOUNTAIN. Mike De Kock’s campaigner is by far the classiest animal in the field and his official rating (At least 8lb’s better off than any other horse in the field) suggests that. A very respectable 5^th on his latest outing in the Hong Kong Cup was an improved effort and it would seem that even a ring rusty Eagle Mountain should carry most of the field home.

6.00
Racing Post Trophy winner in 2007, Ibn Khaldun, has been off of the track for nearly two years since finishing down the field in Henrythenavigator’s 2000 Guineas but he undoubtedly has class and it will be interesting to see how he goes on his reappearance. However, preference is for his stable mate JUSTENUFFHUMOR who finished a good third behind Goldikova in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (Turf) and is making his debut for Saeed bin Suroor this evening. The highest rated horse in the race is the choice of Frankie which would suggest that he is the stable’s first string.

6.35
On his seasonal reappearance, Roman Republic is of interest. He shall be donning the royal blue of Godolphin for the first time since leaving Middleham based Mark Johnston and the Summer Vase winner is definitely one to watch. Nevertheless, a chance is taken on Abdulla bin Huzaim’s BLACK EAGLE. A former Godolphin horse himself, he was far from disgraced when finishing 4^th to Alexandros earlier in the Carnival and could be available at a decent price as he may slip under the radar. Another that has performed well on Meydan’s tapeta surface is Kal Barg but he shall be running off of a career high mark and may be best watched.