1

Forries Waltz

Despite his good record from a light career in South Africa, he flopped on his only run at Meydan last season. However, it has been a different story this year winning both starts most recently when beating stablemate and today's rival Ertijaal and 12 other rivals in a G2 here in January. He didn't have to concede too much ground from a wide gate then, but may have more advantages from gate one here. Soumillon's mount belongs on the shortlist.

2

Tryster

Is likely to be favourite here after two terrific wins here in 2016. The first came in a G3 over 2000m last month when his acceleration off a slow pace was truly spectacular. Moving back to this distance but up to G1 company for the Jebel Hatta earlier this month, his change of gear was again instant. This is clearly tougher especially as he faces interesting international opposition but his winning prospects remain pretty good.

3

Forjatt

Very adaptable as there doesn't seem much between his runs on grass or dirt, his most recent outing being a success over 1800m on the Jebel Ali dirt eight days ago -  just getting the best of a very tight finish. However there is very little evidence to suggest that when he meets this class of opposition he will be good enough to make a major impact.

4

Ghaamer

Twice a winner in the UAE this year including in a 1400m handicap here in February. He went off in front in a G2 over 1600m here last time, setting a pace that suited him and coming close to landing a shock win after battling on bravely up the rails. A tough operator but probably not quite good enough for this challenge.

5

Farrier

His career has all been on artificial surfaces but, switched suddenly to grass last time, he ran a cracker to finish second to Tryster in the G1 over this course and distance on Super Saturday. No surprise to see him sticking with the lawn after that performance but no reason to suspect that he can reverse form with Tryster this time.

6

Flamboyant

A losing run that went back to April 2014 came to an abrupt end when he won a G2 over 1800m at Santa Anita in January and followed up in a similar grade last month, benefitting from a patient ride from today's jockey over that 2000m.  With the five-year-old gelding in such good form the brave decision was made to come to Dubai.

7

The Corsican

A much improved horse last year, and, although only lightly raced he scored victories at Listed and G3 level. He had to race on softer ground than he prefers for much of last season and conditions should be ideal for him here though he does drop down to an unfamiliar distance which could be a problem.

8

Intilaaq

A very exciting Newmarket-trained colt who was a possible runner in the Dubai World Cup before the decision was taken to stick to a grass surface on which he has been increasingly successful. He put up two excellent performances on his last two starts, winning in Listed and G3 company last summer. An autumn campaign was ruled out but, despite the gap since his last start, he is reported in great form. Likely to be restrained early, with a late surge anticipated.

9

Harry’s Son

Smart in South Africa and he has three good runs at Meydan this year. Most recently he ran fourth of nine in a G1 over this distance earlier in the month but there didn't seem any excuses that day and he must again encounter the three who finished in front of him - Tryster, Farrier and Ertijaal.

10

Euro Charline

UK based but her finest moment came when winning a G1 at Arlington, Chicago over 1900m in August 2014 so clearly travelling across continents holds no terrors for her. She made quite a good start at Meydan when 2 1/2L runner-up to today's rival Very Special, the winner stealing first run on her that day. This is much tougher however and jockey Ryan Moore seems to have deserted her in favour of Real Steel.

11

Very Special

With Tryster in the race, she is surely not Godolphin's first string here, but she is a pretty useful second string having won both starts at Meydan this year. Both times she has done it from the front though, arguably, has been allowed too much leeway by her rivals each time. It also might be harder to gain a smooth early lead from gate eleven. On the other hand she may be capable of yet more improvement.

12

Ertijaal (AUS)

Two solid runs at Meydan this season and one disaster when tried on the dirt surface. Most recently he got into an early lead in a G1 over this distance on Super Saturday and gradually increased the tempo. However he was always going to be vulnerable to the late speed of a horse like Tryster and so it proved though Ertijaal still ran a decent third. A win also looks unlikely here.

13

Basateen

Useful in the UK but not progressing last summer, he did however make a very solid start at Meydan when easily winning a 2000m handicap here last month. The form of that race is probably not great and, on the figures, he has a lot to find though maybe Dubai will be the making of him.

14

Real Steel

A very classy Japanese contender who has had various battles with Duramente - one of their other big players today- though that horse goes instead for the longer Dubai Sheema Classic. Late last month Real Steel was closing down Duramente late on when just 3/4L third in an 1800m G2 at Nakayama and he surely has possibilities here, especially with Ryan Moore taking over in the saddle.

15

Gabrial

Has finished in the first three in 25 of his 45 starts, an admirable record from this tough UK-trained gelding. He won a handicap over this course and distance back in 2014 but later struggled when he met stronger company at Meydan on both turf and all-weather surfaces. He completed last season in the UK when outrunning his rating and 66-1 odds by finishing third to French star Solow in a G1 at Ascot.