1

Hombre Rojo

From a UK stable that has rarely housed top class horses but this guy had started to look pretty good late last year and completed a hat-trick when leading from gate to wire in a conditions race at Lingfield in January, seeing off Lazzam in second. He made a respectable debut in Meydan, though Lazzam finished one place in front of him that day, in the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas over 1600m. His jockey will surely try and get him out of the gates quicker this time.

2

Blue Creek

This very well bred colt started an odds-on favourite to beat 14 rivals in a 1600m maiden at Meydan in January and demolished his rivals with a 5L victory. He then was made an even shorter odds-on favourite in a Meydan handicap over 1600m, despite being by far the least experienced horse in the race. Although he was outgunned by unfancied Active Spirit, that gelding has enhanced the form since. We could see plenty more improvement from Blue Creek as he gains experience.

3

Lazzam

Made a solid enough start to his Meydan career when 6L runner up to Market Rally in the UAE 2000 Guineas last month, and that was probably an improvement on his most recent UK form as he finished ahead of Hombre Rojo who had beaten him at Lingfield in January. It is hard to imagine that there is much improvement in Lazzam, but this does not look a strong renewal of the Al Bastakiya.

4

Market Rally

Began his career successfully at Monmouth Park in the USA but didn't impress everyone on his Meydan debut, looking difficult to handle when finishing fourth in a 1400m conditions event. Much better second time, helped by the longer 1600m journey and the fact that he was allowed an easy lead which he maintained with a 6L margin at the wire in the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas and for the same comment it should end unperformed that day but he still looks to have major claims here.