1

Dormello

Twice a winner at Listed level when trained in France and he has also had success at some of the smaller tracks in the UAE though has so far failed to make a big impression at Meydan. He comes here fresh off two victories but this is much tougher and he has stamina to prove at this trip.

2

Brass Ring

Ran a cracker when a close fourth in one of the UK major staying handicaps last October though he didn't make a huge impact on his Meydan debut in a G2 over a shorter distance earlier this month. He'll need to have improved for that but with his stamina not in doubt he'll have his supporters.

3

Cooptado

Sent into an early lead in a G2 over 2410m here earlier in the month, and he kept galloping on well enough when swamped by rivals, beaten just 3 lengths. He formerly raced at the top level in Argentina but like others here he has a major stamina question against his name for this demanding test.

4

Mushreq

Has won three times at Meydan but the longest of those was over 2000m so there must be stamina concerns whilst his two starts here in February both seemed to show that he wasn't at his best. Hard to really fancy despite hailing from the powerful De Kock stable.

5

Dubday

Arrives here off a hard fought victory in a local G1 in Qatar though the class standard of that valuable event can certainly be questioned. He does have a good winning strike rate, will partner with Frankie Dettori as usual.

6

Star Empire

No stranger to this race having finished fifth two years ago and third last year, not beaten far each time. He does have winning form on this track but is placed here far more often, as he was on his latest start. One or two of his rivals look to have stronger claims but if they are not on their game he'd have a squeak.

7

Marzocco

Has competed at a high level in the UK and France and has usually acquitted himself really well. He comes here fresh off a hard fought but quite impressive victory over this distance at the UK's newest racecourse Chelmsford City, travelling a bit too freely early but showing a real fighting spirit. With proven stamina he deserves respect.

8

Bathyrhon

Has achieved a decent rating, mainly earned from his performances in some of France's leading staying tests, notably his narrow defeat in a G1 test over a marathon 4000m at Longchamp last October. Possibilities on this Meydan debut if at the top of his game after a 174 day gap since last performance.

9

Almoonqith

Formerly trained in France but it is in Meydan where he has really flourished and, most significantly, he posted a clear career best when moving up to 2810m last month with the clear suggestion that a stamina test is what he has really been waiting for. Though it was a shock to most observers he had no difficulty winning that G3 contest.

10

Havana Beat

Has won just twice - both times at Sandown Park's testing track in the UK -  latterly showing lots of resolution to win a Listed race over even further than this last July. His trainer has had plenty of success when travelling horses overseas and Havana Beat's Meydan debut when fourth in a G3 behind Almoonqith was quite promising.

11

Meandre

Has gained G1 victories in both France and Germany earlier in his career. He showed that he retains plenty of ability and also gave a hint that he is not short on stamina when a close third in a 2810m handicap here in February. However questions to be answered after his latest start - in a G3 - when he ran out of gas quickly.

12

Vaasa

Has been racing at the lower status tracks in the UAE, most recently when third to Saturday's rival Dormello in a G3 over 2200m in Abu Dhabi. To be ridden by in-form rider Andrea Azeni for the first time but otherwise hard to fancy.

13

Rio Tigre

Seemed to show a good level of stamina when competing in France especially as so many of their races take place on very soft ground. Both his starts at Meydan this year having been encouraging even if he failed to find the same finishing kick as Almoonqith in the closing battle of a G3 over 2810m last month.

14

Brown Panther

A high class operator with an edge over the rest on the ratings here, and a proven ability to thrive over this distance. Based in the UK but he has proved he can travel with big performances in France, Australia and Ireland and if he can repeat his extraordinary performance when a  6 1/2L winner in a G1  at The Curragh last September, he will take a lot of beating. He may well try and push from the front early, tactics that have been working well at Meydan this year.

15

Ahzeemah

Ran a dismal race last time, and his supporters will have to forget about that. A tough horse, he has won at a G2 level over this sort of trip in the past and ran really well here on his penultimate start and, if back on his game, he's got chances here. Likely to try to get a positive early position whilst fast turf conditions will surely help him most.