1

Price Is Truth

Sometimes plays up at the gates and did his chance no good with those antics on his second and third latest starts. Well behaved last time however and he won a handicap last month in a good time on the new dirt surface. Much will again depend on his gate behaviour for this bigger test.

2

Krypton Factor

Won this easily in 2012 before going on to land a G1 on Dubai World Cup night. He was then beaten on his next 14 starts but has staged a revival and, despite returning from a four-month absence he ran a terrific second,  beaten just a neck by very speedy Reynaldothewizard in a G3 last month. He has clearly adapted to the new dirt surface.

3

Satwa Story

Withdrawn

4

Farmah

Was a fast-improving French-trained sprinter late last year, gaining two very convincing victories latterly with a 6l winning verdict in a G3 in Rome. This will be a new racing surface for her, and also a first start since early November. However it may be significant that jockey Paul Hanagan has picked her ahead of last-time-out Meydan winner Mashaaref.

5

Mashaaref

Taking the most direct route from his inside stall he led just about all the way to win a 1400m handicap here last month. He is a versatile speedster - both in terms of surface and distance - and should not be underestimated though the fact that the owner's retained jockey has chosen Farmah instead should be noted.

6

Nawwaar

Did win over 1600m on the turf here back in 2013, but he since looked vulnerable at this track and a front-running attempt - at speedy fractions - failed in a 1200m handicap here last month - beaten 4.75L into third by rival here Price Is Truth. He is better off at the weights this time, but this still looks a very difficult assignment.

7

United Color

Has won twice over Meydan's 1200m, though both times on the tapeta surface. However he has run well on this surface this season, and was only beaten a neck and a neck in a tight finish to a 1400m handicap here in January. Perhaps he will be happier dropping back in trip after an undistinguished effort over 1600m last time.

8

Cool Cowboy

An interesting challenger from for the USA, with Meydan's switch to a dirt surface clearly likely to suit contenders from there. He certainly showed plenty of speed to win what appeared to be quite a classy affair at Mountaineer Park last November.

9

Speed Hawk

Didn't get above handicap class when trained in the UK, including a win under today's highly talented rider Andrea Atzeni. Speed Hawk seems to have improved for the dirt here running a fine third to veteran speedster Reynaldothewizard in a G3 here last time. He's effective at this distance, though may be better over 1000m.

10

Shaishee

His three career wins - two of them here - have all been over longer than this but he is happy on this surface with some good consistent performances in the last few months though various of today's rivals have finished in front of him on those occasions.