1
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Qatar Man
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His figures suggest race-by-race improvement including on his most recent start - in a Listed contest over this course and distance, racing prominently and keeping on well in a strongly-run event for a 1 length second to Cosmo Charlie.
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2
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Master Plan
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It has been a late decision to run him here but this US-trained colt deserves a crack at it after an decisive success from off the pace under today's rider over 1700m at Ocala in January, a second win from four starts. This extra distance is expected to suit.
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3
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Lancaster Bomber
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Bred to be very good, and his last two two-year-old starts were really encouraging. He ran second - at 66-1 - in a 1400m G1 at Newmarket before a fine second of 14 in a G1 at Santa Anita over 1600m in November. Up in distance and onto the dirt for this 2017 debut.
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4
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Midnight Chica
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Her first two Meydan starts were modest but she ran much better last month when a runner-up in a G3 for fillies, moving up to this distance then. That is not usually a strong race but it was encouraging especially as she had a wide trip.
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5
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Top Score
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Has had a busy career so far with three wins from ten starts, though has yet to compete over further than 1400m. He won here in Listed company on turf last time, a career best. Back on dirt today, a surface which should suit according to breeding.
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6
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Fawree
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Easily won a maiden over 1600m on the dirt here in January, after which this race was mentioned as a target. Well fancied to win a Listed event over this distance this month, he proved very tricky to load and unshipped his rider as the gates opened.
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7
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Bee Jersey
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Ran his best race last time, making a big move on the bend from his wide gate in a G3 over 1600m on the dirt here in February. He couldn't maintain the momentum late on but kept on for second. Speedy, this longer distance may test his stamina.
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8
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Vettori Kin
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Has enjoyed success at a high level in South America easily beating his rivals in a G1 over 2400m on turf in Brazil last November. Now US-trained, making his Meydan debut and down in distance and onto an unfamiliar surface. Very hard to assess.
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9
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Fly At Dawn
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Seems to have been helped by being fitted with a tongue-tie on his last two starts, winning over 1400m on dirt here and then running a close second to Top Score after leading for most of the trip in a 1400m Listed event on turf. Yet to prove himself at this distance but he's got a good attitude.
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10
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Epicharis
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Lani took this event for Japan last year and this colt must have chances here, having stretched his unbeaten record to four when winning a Listed contest in Tokyo over 1600m last month. It is suggested that he might try and go forward early on.
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11
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He Runs Away
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Has enjoyed G1 success in South America, gaining big race triumphs in October and November in Argentina at San Isidro and Palermo, though the strength of those races is very hard to assess. With a reputation for versatility in terms of surface and distance.
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12
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Spirit Of Valor
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This lightly-raced American-bred colt comes from a stable who have won this race twice before and, although on dirt for the first time, his pedigree is positive for that and quite positive from his move up in distance after his second in a 1400m G3 at Leopardstown last October.
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13
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Thunder Snow
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Looks smart and versatile, closing down last year with a G1 victory (1400m) on a soft surface at Saint-Cloud, surging clear. Despite not really being bred for dirt he made an impressive winning Meydan debut (1600m) in a G3 last month, again pulverising his rivals.
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14
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Nomorerichblondes
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Her five career starts have all been here most recently when moving up to this distance to beat seven other fillies easily in a G3 - always travelling smoothly. But the slow time was not encouraging and this small filly will probably struggle.
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15
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Cosmo Charlie
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Forward tactics suit, and those were back in place last time with a gate-to-wire victory in a Listed contest on 'Super Saturday' earlier this month. He had to battle hard to hold Qatar Man but the pair finished clear and the time was good.
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16
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Adirato
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Came off two consecutive wins after being switched to a dirt surface to finish second to fellow-Japanese rival Epicharis in a Listed contest over 1600m at Tokyo last month, just 3/4 lengths behind his rival that day. He still looks on the upgrade.
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