1

Mubtaahij

Has now won three of his four starts on this Meydan dirt surface and stepped up to this distance when appearing to post a career-best by winning a Listed race here earlier in the month. He had earlier been just beaten by Maftool in a G3 here but he did his reputation no harm there, showing a fighting spirit.

2

Motaa

Out of a mare who has produced plenty of winners in Saudi Arabia. Motaa has shown promise in his brief career and was twice a winner over 1600m at their King Abdulaziz racetrack there this year though well behind today's rival Alnajem Alfaiz in a local G1 at that track earlier this month.

3

Alnajem Alfaiz

Like fellow Saudi challenge Motaa it is very hard to weigh up the value of his achievements so far. However he was a very easy winner of three races over 1600m at King Abdulaziz racecourse this year, including a comprehensive 4l defeat of today's rival Motaa in a local G1 there this month. He was ridden that day by Mickael Barzalona, who is back in the saddle today.

4

Sir Fever

The winner of ten straight races in the Uruguay including becoming a rare winner of their Triple Crown.  With that charismatic reputation he was strongly fancied to win the recent trial for the UAE Derby but this relentless galloper was found out in the closing stages by rival here Mubtaahij although that colt had the advantage of three previous starts at Meydan. Sir Fever, on the other hand, was having his first run since November, after which he was reportedly purchased by Godolphin for a huge sum.

5

Faithful Creek

His only victory came in a 1400m maiden race on the turf in the UK but this nice well-balanced horse has proved that he can operate at a much higher level, competing last season in the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf over 1600m at Santa Anita last October, finishing a close fifth after suffering a wide trip. His pedigree suggests that this move up in distance could be OK but it's anyone's guess how he will cope with the dirt surface.

6

Tap That

His form doesn't seem to match up to that of fellow Japanese raider Golden Barows who finished 7 1/2l ahead of him in a 1600m Listed race at Tokyo last month, with no apparent excuses for Tap That on that occasion. However he had previously almost won a local G1 at Kawasaki, just caught by another rival here Dear Domus. The booking of Joao Moreira will certainly encourage supporters however.

7

Golden Barows

Has not yet been tested in the highest class in Japan but it is the manner of his victories that have made him a major fancy for the UAE Derby, this year twice crushing well regarded rivals over 1600m in Tokyo. He has a strong dirt-based pedigree which also suggests that this longer distance may be within his grasp.

8

My Johnny Be Good

A challenger from the USA who earlier this month was competing in the G2 Tampa Bay Derby over 1700m at Tampa Bay Downs. But he went into that race as a 30-1 shot and never looked like causing a shock finishing a well beaten last of eight. He doesn't make any obvious appeal.

9

Maftool

A G3 winner on the turf at Newmarket last September, particularly good as he is bred for the dirt. On his first Meydan outing he blew the start and lost his chance but put that right in a G3 (1600m) last month with a visor added, just fending off rival here Mubtaahij (who has won again since) in a tight finish though jockey Paul Hanagan thinks they would have won by further if they hadn't been in front so soon. Some concerns on pedigree for Maftool over this extra distance.

10

Dear Domus

Just got the better of rival here Tap That in a pulsating finish to a local G1 over 1600m at Kawasaki in December, gradually pegging back that colt who had started favourite for what is Japan's most prestigious race for juveniles on dirt. Dear Domus has since finished fourth in a Listed race in Tokyo, beaten 3.8l by Golden Barows who appears to be Japan's major contender for this prize.