1

Caspian Prince

Ideally suited to a fast 1000m track, winning a super-competitive handicap at Epsom's downhill track last June. He clearly also likes this place, winning a decent handicap here last month. Usually very fast from the gates, and his chance will be enhanced if he can lead early as he did last time.

2

High On Life

A 1000m specialist in the UK, and five times a winner with a good and consistent profile. However he didn't show anything for his new stable over this course and distance last month.

3

Via Africa

One of South Africa's top sprinters with some terrific gate speed and a great attitude to match. She has joined Mike de Kock's stable since her latest win and last start back in May 2014 and, though she missed her intended prep for this, she clearly deserves healthy respect.

4

Rafeej

His last eight starts have been at Meydan but only one of those was on a turf surface and he disappointed that day. He did win a Listed race here on the dirt decisively last December but has been bitterly disappointing on his last two starts, though his jockey thought he wasn't helped by slightly stumbling as he left the gates last time.

5

Caspar Netscher

UK based but with an interesting international CV and the winner of five group races though over distances between 1200m and 1600m. Last October he plundered a valuable G2 prize over 1200m at Woodbine, Canada, and now tries his luck for the first time at Meydan. This trip and the lack of a recent run are a concern.

6

Roi de Vitesse

His six wins have come at lesser tracks, either in the UK or Middle East though he got to within 1/2 length of victory in a 1200m handicap here two starts back. A narrow winner in an exciting finish at Dohar last time but he struggled in this higher grade race last year, and it may be the same again here.

7

Mirza

Withdrawn

8

Sole Power

Now reaching the veteran stage but this popular speedster was still in red-hot form for much of last season, including winning two of the UK's top sprints - both at G1 level. Twice second in this event, and fourth last year, he is having his first start since finishing ninth in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint over 1200m last December. Usually at his best over this minimum distance.

9

Monsieur Joe

A nine-times winner in a distinguished sprinting career but he has only won one of his 18 starts here at Meydan. He has run respectably on two of his three starts here this year but it would come as some shock if he proved good enough to win this.

10

Line Of Reason

Effective at both 1000m and 1200m, with his four turf wins all coming on a fast surface. Both his runs at Meydan this season have been fair though not electric. Last time - in a 1200m handicap - he briefly looked threatening before fading.

11

Banaadeer

Lightly raced in South Africa though placed at G1 level. Talked up positively prior to his first start at Meydan but he didn't show much, doing much better last time when only beaten 1 1/4l by today's rival Caspian Prince in a handicap last month. There could easily be some more improvement to come.

12

Sir Maximilian

A six-times winner who twice beat today's rival Caspian Prince into second in handicaps last year. However he was well behind that rival in his third Meydan start this year, doing a bit better on his latest start. He doesn't look one of the big fancies here.

13

Lancelot Du Lac

Back in the UK he had looked a better horse over 1200m but he's versatile and to his credit came close to winning over this course and distance in January, just beaten by today's rival Ahtoug with other of these opponents behind. We'll need to forget a poor run last time, however.

14

Moviesta

A G2 winner in 2013 and, though he bitterly disappointed his supporters by not winning last season, he was campaigned at the very top level and was twice beaten a length or less in G1 company. Arguably he was unlucky not to win Longchamp's G1 sprint on Arc day - denied a clear run at a crucial stage. First Meydan venture here.

15

Ahtoug

Bound to be a big fancy here, having only been touched off in this race last year, and again in the G1 sprint on Dubai World Cup Night. He comes here fresh from a narrow but cosy victory in a handicap here in late January and this was immediately announced as his next target.

16

Extortionist

Took a few races to hit peak form last season but he did so in mid-summer, winning twice including when producing a fast late surge in a G3 contest. His form tailed off on his last couple of starts and he hasn't been seen since September. The faster the ground, the better his chance.

17

Fityaan

Did win a handicap over this course and distance in 2013 and ran second on his first Meydan start of 2015. However he has finished behind some of these rivals on both his last two starts, and his chance is not obvious.

Reserve

18

Seachantach

He wins only sporadically and his four career successes have all come over further than this. Soundly beaten on all starts this year, and his winning hopes look close to non-existent.