G1 – 2410m – Turf
| 1 | Mozu Katchan | She has some classy form in Japan and won a G1 for fillies and mares over 2200m on a fast turf surface at Kyoto last November. She returned with an encouraging fourth back at Kyoto last month, but ratings suggest that might find a few too strong here. |
| 2 | Idaho | Twice a G2 winner – both at this trip – and often placed at G1 company. Last seen in the G1 Japan Cup (2400m) last November, finishing fast from the back for 5th at huge odds. Having his first Meydan start but he’s run well off a break before. A rapid pace would help. |
| 3 | Rey de Oro | His five wins include the G1 Japanese Derby in 2017, having to challenge wide to win that big prize last May. Other big performances include a second in last November’s G1 Japan Cup and, though a beaten favourite when third in a G2 at Kyoto last month, this moneyspinner looks a serious player for a race Japan has won three times. |
| 4 | Khalidi | His four UK wins have all been over shorter than this, but he’s got stamina and was a little unlucky not to win a G2 over this trip at Royal Ascot last June. Last month’s prep for this – on the all-weather at Lingfield – was a bit flat, and he surely has a hard task here. |
| 5 | Poet’s Word | A disappointing adventure to Sha Tin last December is probably best ignored as he had previously been very progressive in 2017, including a G3 win at this trip and two G1 seconds over shorter. Frankie Dettori was reportedly very impressed with Poet’s Word’s Newmarket gallop last Thursday. |
| 6 | Cloth Of Stars | The winner of seven of his 14 starts and finishing strongly into second in last October’s Arc at Chantilly, a terrific performance if having no chance of toppling brilliant winner Enable. He prepped for this with a solid second on the Chantilly all-weather over an inadequate trip this month. |
| 7 | Hawkbill | Has possible Hong Kong ambitions if all goes well here for this talented, well-travelled horse. Making smooth progress from midfield, he had to challenge wide on the final bend but his powerful finish ensured victory in a G2 this month, a perfect start at Meydan. |
| 8 | Satono Crown | Sustained late headway saw this Japanese-trained six-year-old nail the prolific Highland Reel to win the 2016 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase over this distance. Last year saw some other top class performances including a G1 winning strike at Hanshin. If back at his peak he can’t be ignored. |
| 9 | Desert Encounter | Stayed on into third in a 1990m G1 at Sandown last July but had no chance with the first two, and otherwise has tended to struggle in G1 company. However he’s tough and consistent and has a good finishing kick. Ideally he wants good or softer ground. |
| 10 | Best Solution | A dual G3 winner in Europe, he produced a clear career best with a runaway victory in a handicap over 2435m here in February. However he’ll need to do an awful lot better than he did in a G2 here last time, struggling throughout from a wide gate. |
