1

Hunter’s Light

Won the G1 over 2000m on the tapeta surface on this day 2013 but has mostly been racing on the turf since including two excellent winning efforts over 2000m at Meydan this season. This slightly shorter distance is not ideal but this horse is a hard one to beat when he's at the top of his game.

2

Anaerobio

Won three straight races over 1400m here earlier in his career and more significantly finished 2L third to stablemate and today's hot rival Vercingetorix in this event last year, though he did have the run of the race up front that day. Three respectable performances here this year but a place again looks the best he can hope for.

3

Flying The Flag

A G3 winner when trained in Ireland in 2013, albeit only having to beat three rivals. He looks to be thriving in Dubai, overcoming some decent performers in a tight finish to a 2000m handicap here last month. That was especially good as he had to travel very wide around the final bend.

4

Vercingetorix

He took this prize last year and, this winner of seven of his nine starts, later ran a fine third behind Designs On Rome in AP QEII Cup last April. He showed that he had lost none of his fire when surging through from off the pace to easily beat smart True Story over this course and distance in January. If on his usual high-class game, he's going to be very hard to stop here.

5

Darwin

A winner of four of his 14 starts, he was tried on dirt on his penultimate start here this season but the experiment didn't work and he ran much better when a close fourth in a G2 on the turf last month, though reportedly finishing lame on his left foreleg. He tries a distance beyond 1600m for the first time.

6

Johann Strauss

Placed at G1 level when trained in Ireland, and ran well on both starts for new connections latterly in a 1600m G2 last month, dead-heating for fourth with today's rival and stablemate Darwin. He shouldn't have any problems with this extra trip.

7

Calling Out

Ran some good races at a high level in France, mostly competing on soft ground surfaces, then purchased for 350,000 euros. On his debut here last month, he raced too freely and ran right out of gas. Much more needed.

8

Limario

Twice a G3 winner when trained in Germany, and comes here off a surprise victory over this course and distance when today's jockey gave him a beautiful ride, skimming the rails. However the form of that race has worked out badly, with his nearest rivals all being well beaten subsequently.

9

Elleval

Without a win for over a year but he has been running consistently of late, most recently when a close third in a 2000m handicap last month. Arguably he could have won that if he had managed to get a clear run when he needed it. A tough horse but facts and figures suggest that he has plenty to find.

10

Trade Storm

Invariably races at the very highest level with five of his last seven starts coming at G1 level - including gaining a big prize at Woodbine in Canada. Only beaten 2 1/4L in this race last year when the steady early fractions and some interference did not help his cause.

11

Sanshaawes

Had a terrific spell at the Meydan Carnival last year with two wins and an excellent run on Super Saturday in the G1 on the tapeta surface. He has run three solid races at Meydan this year but none of them have suggested that he is about to win this prestigious G1 prize.

12

Mr Pommeroy

Has finished well behind the two big players here - Hunter's Light and Vercingetorix - in separate races on his last two starts. Surely he will struggle again here.