1

Ekhtiyaar

Gelded since leaving the UK where he won three times all at this trip. Now upgrading to G3 company but he ran an excellent trial for this when soaring to a 5.25L winning verdict over 13 rivals in a hot handicap here last month. A serious player on that evidence.

2

Log Out Island

Very hard to recommend him here as he has been well beaten in all recent starts including when always struggling at the rear, finishing 22L behind winner and today’s rival Ekhtiyaar in a handicap over this course and distance last month.

3

Hit The Bid

Irish-trained but had a rewarding spell at Meydan last year, leading most of the way to win a 1000m handicap. Has also run well in both Meydan 2019 starts, especially last time when only just failing to outgun Mazzini in a handicap and big chances of reversing that on much better weight terms. But not yet proven as good over 1200m.

4

Gifted Master

UK-trained but tried Meydan in 2017, not making much impact in two 1600m G2’s. Mostly competing over this sprint distance since including a fantastic victory in one of the UK’s most prestigious sprints at Goodwood last summer, leading then fighting back.

5

Ajwad

More often seen on a dirt surface but he has won two of his eight turf starts. That included in a 1600m handicap last Saturday when he was able to grab an early lead that he never surrendered, easily beating 13 rivals. Adaptable, he is effective at this trip also. Still, an unlikely winner.

6

Faatinah

Wins his fair share, both at home in Australia and on his visits to Meydan. He gained a clear-cut victory in a 1000m handicap here in January and only found today’s brilliant rival Blue Point too strong in a G2 here last month, leading but easily mowed down 400m out.

7

Mazzini

Won his last two starts – both narrowly at this trip – when based in the UK. Has also won both Meydan starts, and despite a slow break was really impressive in a 1200m handicap here last month. Tougher now that he is delving into Group race company.

8

High On Life

He has won over this course and distance though most of his success has come at slightly easier tasks at Jebel Ali. Doesn’t really look up to winning in Group company nowadays, especially with rivals like Blue Point to contend with.

9

Blue Point

A superb sprinter who should only have to run close to his rating to outclass his rivals here. At Royal Ascot last June he comfortably triumphed in one of Europe’s most prestigious sprints and he showed his current wellbeing when routing his opposition in a 1000m G2 here last month.

10

Portamento

At huge odds for this last year and he never remotely looked like pulling off a shock win, finishing 13th. Never had a chance of defeating Blue Point in a G2 here last time but was at least doing so solid work at the end over that inadequate 1000m.

11

Riflescope

Appears to have been running right up to his best lately -surging from the back to beat 11 rivals admittedly most carrying more weight than him – in a 1200m handicap here in February. Again finished fast when runner-up in another February Meydan handicap last time.