G1 – 1800m – Turf
| 1 | Southern Legend | Has had the misfortune to regularly encounter Beauty Generation but he has run plenty of excellent races behind that superstar including when 3.25L 3rd in the 2018 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile with today’s rival Vivlos just ahead. An eye-catching 2nd of 11 in the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) last month. |
| 2 | Dream Castle | Disappointing at last year’s Meydan Carnival meeting but, after being gelded and moving up to this trip, he has been a revelation this year winning all three starts, a G3, a G2 and a G1. Swooping fast and late on that last occasion, he accelerated too strongly for his rivals – including some of these. |
| 3 | Deirdre | Her only previous Meydan experience was her third place in this last year, having to challenge wide but doing some strong late work. After a break back in Japan she won a G3 and a G2, both at this distance and both times surging from the back. Slightly disappointing last time. |
| 4 | Vivlos | She showed decisive speed when it counted to win this G1 two years ago on a slow surface, showing her liking for this track again when running a fine 2nd in this last year. Last seen when a running-on 2nd to brilliant Beauty Generation in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile. |
| 5 | Majestic Mambo | From a stable that have had a disappointing Carnival and, though not disgraced, he never looked like landing a serious blow when 6.75L 6th of 10 behind today’s rival Dream Castle in a G1 over this distance here this month. |
| 6 | Lord Glitters | A former handicapper who is also quite capable of running really well at the top level, only narrowly beaten in a Royal Ascot G1 last June. Last August he also won a G3 over 1761m at York. Having his first start for 161 days but he’s performed strongly off a break before. |
| 7 | Almond Eye | International challenges now beckon for Almond Eye who has carried all before her in Japan, most recently when winning the G1 Japan Cup in a record-shattering time. She drops back from that 2400m but has won at G1 level over shorter than this and her pure speed is in no doubt at all. The one to beat, for sure. |
| 8 | I Can Fly | She ran a huge race when only just beaten in a G1 on soft ground over Ascot’s straight 1600m last October. She prepped for this with an easy winning romp at Dundalk earlier this month. Ryan Moore’s mount is up to this distance for the first time. |
| 9 | Mountain Hunter | Has been in good shape lately and – giving weight to most of his rivals – he proved too good in a 2000m handicap here in February. However this is his first start at Group level, let alone a superstrong G1 like this. A win would be a huge shock. |
| 10 | Yulong Prince | A smart operator in South Africa with a high winning strike-rate. He moved to this stable after winning a G1 over 2000m on slow ground at Greyville last June. But it’s going to be a very tough ask expecting him to win this on his Meydan debut after such a lengthy break. |
| 11 | Century Dream | A G3 winner at Epsom over just short of this distance last year, and he ran really well at a G1 level also. In a G1 here this month he didn’t do his chance any good by racing too freely early, finishing behind both Dream Castle and Wootton. Best on a slow surface so a raceday downpour would help. |
| 12 | Without Parole | Has won four of his seven starts, the high point being when he landed a G1 at Royal Ascot last June. Not as effective in the second part of the UK season but his master trainer has said that there are high expectations for 2019. This looks tough, though. |
| 13 | Wootton | Smart in France, but has looked potentially even better in Dubai. A fast-finisher after a difficult passage on his Meydan debut he then came with another strong late charge in a G1 over this distance earlier this month. Unfortunately, Dream Castle was even stronger at the finish. |
