G2 – 3200m – Turf
| 1 | Dal Harraild | Comes here fresh off a victory on an all-weather surface Chelmsford over a similar trip to this, leading and then quickening away. This six-times winner has both speed and stamina and Ryan Moore’s mount comes from a stable who have started the UK season in great form. |
| 2 | Run Time | This US-trained horse has competed over a wide variety of distances but does have winning form over this distance on a fast turf surface at Gulfstream Park. However he makes his Meydan debut in what is probably very much stronger company. |
| 3 | Los Barbados | Led early and rallied late when only a short-head behind today’s rival Prince Of Arran in a handicap over this distance here last month. He clearly stays this distance and may lead again here but surely classier rivals will go past him when the race gets serious. |
| 4 | Parviz | Quite a well-travelled German-trained colt who was last seen in February running second in a Listed race on heavy ground over 2500m at Cagnes-Sur-Mer, France. Ratings suggest that this longer distance needs to bring huge improvement for him to have any chance. |
| 5 | Vazirabad | The winner of 13 of his 20 starts including this race for the past two years. His consistency matches his talent and it will be a surprise if he yet again doesn’t launch his strong late surge from the back. Rival here Rare Rhythm got first run on him in the recent 2810m trial for this but Vazirabad loves this even longer trip. |
| 6 | Janszoon | In good form at Meydan early in 2018, winning two 2000m handicaps – launching his challenge from midfield each time. However he was left behind when tried in G2 company this month and, in any case, there is no evidence that this longer trip will help. |
| 7 | Sheikhzayedroad | Hasn’t won since 2016 but he’s a tough stayer who likes Meydan and wasn’t beaten far when third to Vazirabad in this last year, and he might have been second with a better trip. Prepped for this with another solid show when third to Rare Rhythm here this month. |
| 8 | Prince Of Arran | The winner of just one of his 16 starts on a turf surface and that came here in February, waiting with until delivered to lead 200m out in that handicap over this distance. However he’s been well beaten since and in any case this contest is much stronger. |
| 9 | Red Galileo | Led for some of the way and was involved in a tight finish with today’s rivals Prince Of Arran and Los Barbados in a handicap here in February. Not disgraced when fifth to Rare Rhythm in the G3 trial for this more recently but surely he can’t win this. |
| 10 | Frontiersman | A disappointment on his only previous attempt at distance similar to this but he was too keen then and his trainer wants another attempt at it. He led for most of the way and fought on well when second in a G2 over 2410m here this month. May be ridden less aggressively here. |
| 11 | Al Sahem | Has run better than his finishing position might suggest in recent Meydan starts but he has tended to get going too late over notably shorter distances than this, including when a running-on fifth in a G2 over 2410m last time. Will now need to prove his stamina. |
| 12 | Big Orange | A very popular stayer in the UK, winning the prestigious G1 Ascot Gold Cup over 3991m last June. He has finished second and fourth in this event in the past two years and this fast-ground specialist is reported in great form. Likely to lead or sit very close to the speed. |
| 13 | Natural Scenery | No worries with this distance which he has won over before. However there appeared no excuses when he finished 10 lengths fourth behind today’s rivals Rare Rhythm, Vazirabad and Sheikhzayedroad earlier this month in the G3 trial for this. Tends to sit in midfield. |
| 14 | Rare Rhythm | Very fragile which explains his light career. However he’s won five of his eight starts and took the scalp of Vazirabad in the 2810m G3 trial for this, moving from midfield with great fluency and getting first run on that rival. He just needs to now prove himself over an even longer trip. |
| 15 | Torcedor | This Irish-trained gelding has improved since joining this stable and ran a career best in a G2 over 3190m at Ascot last October, looking all set to win until tiring in the last 100m. That was on slow ground, his preferred surface, but he should handle the Meydan turf OK. |
| 16 | Gold Star | Won a 2410m handicap here in February and made some late headway from off the speed when third in a 2410m G2 here this month, though today’s rival Frontiersman was 5 lengths ahead of him. Some hope from his pedigree that this longer trip will help his cause. |
