1

Zahee

Has plenty of Meydan experience though his only win here came over a shorter distance (1400m) and on the all-weather surface. Prominent from the gate, he ran a good third in a G2 over 1600m last month and, whilst jockey bookings suggest that he's not the number one Mike de Kock runner in this, ratings suggest he has chances of making the money.

2

Johann Strauss

A fine third in this event last year finishing ahead of five stablemates, and he faces three stablemates this time though interesting perhaps that stable jockey Soumillon has picked him. His only recent start came in a G2 here last month, a run that can be completely ignored as he was badly hampered early in the straight. Quirky, but pretty good on his day.

3

Ertijaal

The runaway winner of the G1 Cape Derby at South Africa's Kenilworth racecourse in early 2015, and he made a terrific start in Meydan when runner-up to the stable's very talented Forries Waltz in a G2 over this distance in January. An attempt on Meydan's dirt surface last time resulted in a dismal performance so no shock at all to see him back on the lawn here.

4

Harry's Son

A former champion two-year-old colt in South Africa with enough talent to win a G1 over 1600m there. He has done well on both starts at Meydan this year though there was some disappointment that he didn't appear to show any improvement from the run in January to the run in February. His pedigree also suggests some stamina concerns at this longer journey.

5

Earnshaw

A winner at G3 level and placed at G1 level when trained in France earlier in his career. He has some decent Meydan form more recently including a fifth in last year's G1 Dubai Turf over this distance. Some promise from his Meydan ventures this year but he made no serious impact behind today's smart rival Tryster in a G3 last time.

6

Farrier

Trained by Satish Seemar who has been struggling for winners lately. Farrier competes at either Meydan or neighbouring Jebel Ali and, though collecting his share of win and place prizemoney, that has all come on a dirt surface. No stamina worries but nothing much else in his favour.

7

Sefri

He does have winning turf credentials but they were way back when he was trained in France. No stamina worries and he has been running well on the dirt track at neighbouring Jebel Ali this year. A win against some established and classy turf operators here would be a major shock.

8

Tryster

The highest rated in this field and not surprising considering his history of eight wins from eleven starts and an extremely progressive profile. Most of his UK success came on all-weather tracks but he showed his turf credentials on his Meydan debut in a G3 over 2000m last month. Despite allowing some good rivals a few lengths start he showed an incredible burst of late acceleration, completing the last 400m in a remarkable 21.74s. A similar performance will make him hard to beat, surely.

9

Prayer For Relief

With Soumillon picking Johann Strauss, Ryan Moore takes over on Prayer For Relief - hardly a disadvantage. However it will surprise many that this confirmed dirt performer is suddenly switching to a turf surface. More positively, all three starts at Meydan in 2016 have shown him to be in good form and no worries with this distance.

10

Elleval

Has collected some hefty placemoney but his winning strike-rate is poor and he has failed to score in his last 21 starts.  He didn't show much in this event last year, beaten over 10 lengths but to his credit he has run really well in all his first three starts this season - placed each time.  But he finished unplaced in his latest start over 2000m two days ago (3 Mar). Should he replicate his earlier performance it could see him - who is usually held up for a late surge - again get into the money.