Jockeys who have ridden him always mention how tough he is. He is also very talented considering his high win or place strike-rate and also proved his stamina for this test when winning over 2435m here in January. There was no disgrace at all in his subsequent second to Tryster, leading but then mown down by a horse who produced some stunning late fractions.
2
Sanshaawes
He tried 2435m once here last year and though he was a shade disappointing that may have been caused by a hoof injury. His runs at this year's Carnival have all been solid, including a late pounce - getting space just when it was needed - to win a 2000m handicap here in January. Today's rival finished two places ahead of him most recently, though Sanshaawes didn't have much room to challenge that time.
3
Rembrandt Van Rijn
He has won off a break before and he'll need to be right on his game here, not having raced since last August and having his first start outside of the UK, now being locally trained. He won four straight races last year, and though he did less well when moving into Group company, soft ground might have been to blame. He mustn't get to the front too soon according to his previous trainer.
4
Dariyan
A lightly-raced but highly talented four-year-old, he easily won a G2 at Maisons-Laffitte last July and completed 2015 when running a cracking third to Highland Reel and Flintshire in the Longines Hong Kong Vase over a similar distance to this last December despite not getting the best of passages. There could easily be more improvement to come from this classy colt in 2016.
5
Balios
Delivered with a strong late surge by his rider to win a G2 over 2400m at Royal Ascot last June. A lack of early pace - typical in many races in France - didn't help him in a G1 at Longchamp subsequently and a dismal final start of 2015 can surely be forgiven. His trainer insists that 2016 could be a great year for Balios though this is a challenging opening salvo.
6
Postponed
He has all the attributes of a top 2400m horse and, on the ratings, he has a very good chance of continuing where he left off last season, with a victory. That win came in a G2 at Longchamp, though he had earlier done even better when winning at Ascot in July, one of Europe's most prestigious G1's over 2400m - fighting back to regain the lead close home. He still has Andrea Azeni on board but a different trainer in Roger Varian whose team has been going really well on the all-weather winter circuit back in the UK.
7
Makzon
Withdrawn
8
Captain Morley
Apparently he is an easy horse to get fit, which is good because this is his first start since last September and also his first run outside the UK. In that final start he swept to a clear 4 length victory in a good handicap at Doncaster, with the numbers suggesting a clear career best. However, he would need to move forward significantly again to have any winning chance here.
