1

Rich Tapestry

Has good credentials in this event, second two years ago and third last year. Returning to Meydan he grabbed an easy lead to win a G3 here in February but it was a different story last time when Muarrab - his nearest victim previously - exploded out of the gates and Rich Tapestry never looked comfortable, finishing 6.5L third. Despite his fine record, he does look potentially vulnerable this time.

2

Master Kochanwong

Came back from a break to score an excellent win on the Sha Tin all-weather in January, fast from the gates with regular rider Douglas Whyte controlling the pace throughout, and the fact that he found more when challenged in the straight was commendable. Today's rival Domineer, who has won since, was well behind that day. Master Kochanwong is likely to try and fly the gates again, though there are plenty of other speedballs who may be trying the same approach.

3

X Y Jet

US raiders have an outstanding record in this event when it has been run on a dirt surface as it is now and many horseplayers will look no further than X Y Jet - who was so wayward earlier in his career that he had to be gelded - but who now is on a winning role with some explosive gate-to wire speed. He showed that yet again in a G3 at Gulfstream Park late last month.

4

Kifaah

He has lots of experience of the Meydan dirt sprint track and he pounced late to win a handicap over this course and distance in January. He ran into second behind Muarrab in a G3 here earlier this month and but he looks fully exposed and it would be a shock if he managed to overcome Muarrab this time let alone some of his other serious rivals.

5

Domineer

Gained an easy victory in a 1200m handicap around Happy Valley's tight bends last month, signifying a return to form for a gelding who had been soundly beaten on his two previous starts this year including when behind today's rival Master Kochanwong on the all-weather at Sha Tin in January. He has reportedly settled in well to his Meydan surroundings but doesn't really look a likely winner.

6

Super Jockey

Competing on the Sha Tin turf and was only caught in the last strides by  Not Listenin'tome - who competes in the earlier Al Quoz Sprint - in a 1000m handicap earlier this month. Now he returns to the course and distance of his superb effort in this race last year when only failing by a head to catch American speedster Secret Circle. He has apparently looked very relaxed in his Meydan work this week.

7

Muarrab

Has an excellent winning strike rate on the dirt surfaces of Jebel Ali and also here at Meydan. Last time Paul Hanagan blasted him out of the gates and he soon had Rich Tapestry - who had beaten him into second in a G3 previously - struggling. That is his ideal way of racing though he doesn't have to lead but what seems certain here is that the pace here will be fast and furious.

8

Confrontation

This consistent US speedster has winning credentials over this distance but is generally seen over further which makes his appearance in this event a bit of a surprise. However he comes here off a convincing G3 victory over 1600m on his Meydan debut back in February beating into second a rival who had won his three previous starts and his only race since. Despite those distance worries it must be remembered what a strong record US-based contenders have had when this G1 sprint has been run on dirt. 

9

Morawij

Like plenty in this field he likes to be fast from the gates and those tactics have seen him win twice over the 1000m at Jebel Ali this year. No worries over the extra distance - he won over 1200m much earlier in his career - but plenty of worries about whether he has the raw ability to win a race like this especially as he has been soundly beaten on his only two previous starts at Meydan.

10

Reynaldothewizard

His last 19 starts have been at Meydan and that includes some great performances including success in this race back in 2013. That was on the tapeta surface but he has also won three times more recently here on the dirt, including this January when surging off a strong pace - his ideal scenario. A furious pace will help but, at the age of ten he may be vulnerable to younger speedsters.