1

Prince Bishop

Missed the break in this race last season, ruining his chance though he hadn't done much better in it in 2011 (10th) and 2012 (7th). Facing the new surface at Meydan this season, he has shaped up well, finishing a runner-up second both times, well ahead of African Story first time but just failing to catch him in a G1 here this month. He can struggle in the early stages but can produce some terrific late fractions.

2

Hokko Tarumae

Finished last of 16 in this race a year ago but possibilities he'll do much better now that it is on a dirt surface. He is Japan's foremost dirt performer and is also a prolific winner that includes eight G1's. In January he won his third successive G1, coming with a powerful surge to justify odds-on favouritism over 2100m at Kawasaki.

3

African Story

He won the G2 Godolphin Mile on this night in 2012 but hit the heights this day last year with a fluent success in this, the world's richest race. He disappointed bitterly on his first attempt on the new Meydan dirt surface in February but his trainer gave him another chance on it this month and viewers to the HK simulcast will have seen him get the job done, fending off the late surge of Prince Bishop.

4

Side Glance

Based in the UK but connections have concentrated on the big prizes overseas with plenty of success, though most of his international prize money has come from places - including with a strong-finishing fourth in this race last year and most recently when a close fourth in a thrilling finish to the G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley last October.

5

Lea

Last month the news came that Lea was likely to miss this race but connections have had a change of heart about the US-based six-year-old who missed most of last year but returned with a smooth success at Gulfstream Park in January. Although he failed to justify favouritism in the subsequent G1 Donn Handicap back at Gulfstream Park last month, it was an excellent effort in that prestigious race with the third horse well back.

6

Candy Boy

Finished 5 1/4L behind fellow American challenger California Chrome when they finished third and sixth respectively in last November's G1 Breeders' Cup Classic, America's richest race. That was the last start for this former G2 winner who is very effective at this trip but would be a surprise winner here - though there have been plenty of those in the history of the world's richest race.

7

Long River

Formerly based in the US where he was smart but not outstanding, his only race at Meydan revealed nothing when he finished a remote last of nine behind African Story in a G1 over this distance this month. There have been some big surprises in this race in recent years but it would be a huge surprise if he managed to land this.

8

Epiphaneia

Highly strung and can race too freely but has a huge amount of talent as he revealed when surging to a 4L victory in the G1 Japan Cup over 2400m last November. He now moves down in distance - though he has won over it - and crucially switches from turf to dirt with connections clearly believing it will suit.

9

California Chrome

Unfashionably bred but has proved to have freaky ability, advertised by his victories in both the G1 Kentucky Derby and G1 Preakness Stakes last May. He then lost his mojo for a few races before running a close and excellent third in the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita. He tuned up for this target with a good prep at that same track last month and no surprise that he is predicted to start favourite for the world's richest race.