1

African Story

Brilliant if unexpected winner of the G1 Dubai World Cup last year and, on ratings, has a clear advantage here. However he didn't appear to enjoy the new dirt surface at Meydan when a well beaten seventh in a G2 last month so he now has something to prove despite his obvious class.

2

Storm Belt

A big horse who doesn't like being crowded but he has run consistently well in five Meydan starts since November, winning twice. He was a little unlucky on his penultimate start but had no problems last time, winning a handicap over this distance with a bit up his sleeve. This dirt surface looks ideal.

3

Ducab

He did win here twice last year, though that was on the tapeta surface. He has been slow from the gates on both starts at Meydan this year - both on turf - and never managed to get competitive. He has the lowest rating in this field, and is extremely hard to fancy.

4

Prince Bishop

A very classy operator who won this race last year. That was run on a different surface but he appeared to show that he could handle the new dirt track with a splendid effort in a G2 here last month. For much of the race he didn't seem happy but showed exceptional acceleration in the home straight, only just failing to catch Frankyfourfingers.

5

Frankyfourfingers

A relatively inexpensive purchase from France and he looked a real bargain - with the big prizemoney of Meydan in mind - when controlling a G2 in fine style on the dirt last time, just fending off the powerful late surge of Prince Bishop. If he can get grab a similarly advantageous early position this time, this improved horse has a decent chance.

6

Toolain

Sprang a major shock when winning over this course and this surface in a handicap in January. He then proved that to be no fluke with a good second in a similar event last month. However the chances are that he will need to raise his game a bit more at this level.

7

Le Bernardin

This is his surface with G3 winning form on it in the USA and he has twice won handicaps on it since arriving in Meydan. However he disappointed badly last time when favourite, and fresher and more talented rivals may have his measure here.

8

Long River

This invader from the USA will be familiar with the dirt surface with some strong performances over it at around this distance including a solid third as a 52-1 outsider at Belmont last September. We have to take on trust that he's 100% on this first start since October, and this first encounter with Meydan.

9

Henry Clay

Very consistent in six starts here since last November, proving highly reliable over this distance and on this surface.  Most recently he was allowed to dominate from the front, and won with plenty to spare - a career best. All those Meydan starts came in handicap company so this is a higher grade but chances if things again go his way.