1

Desert Encounter

Now eight but he seemed better than ever last year and four straight wins included a repeat victory in a G1 at Woodbine. Third in this last year, and he is generally better for a run so he can improve on his Meydan fifth here last month especially over this longer trip.

2

Defoe

Ratings suggest he could have a class edge, and last summer he posted two fantastic UK efforts including a G1 win at Epsom and a G2 at Royal Ascot. Has had a long break but is reported fit, a bigger worry could be the ground as his trainer has steered him away from a quick surface.

3

Privilegiado

Has winning form over this distance and further in Norway. However that doesn’t count for much at Meydan and was soundly beaten in two starts here last month, though not disgraced last time.
  

4

Los Barbados

Hasn’t raced for nearly two years. Formerly best when getting to the front early and won a handicap here in early 2018. Hard to fancy over a trip short of his ideal.

5

Good Trip

His winning form has all come over shorter. He returned from a lengthy absence when beaten a long way at Jebel Ali last month. Very hard to fancy.

6

Pablo Escobarr

Very consistent and a smart operator at around this distance. Looked all set to win on his Meydan debut in January but got closed down late on. Some improvement needed but worth a shot at this.

7

First Nation

Has won over this distance and also has past winning form here. Hasn’t been beaten far in any of his three Meydan handicap starts this year but the figures indicate that he’ll need to raise his game to win this.

8

Learn By Heart

This Scandanavian-trained contender has been soundly beaten in three lesser races than this at Meydan in 2020.

9

Mountain Hunter

Effective over this course and distance as he showed when swooping to beat 13 rivals in a handicap here in 2019. Two respectable and one poor Meydan effort in 2020.

10

Jalmoud

Boasts some high class form including a third in a prestigious G1 at Longchamp in 2019. However three runs since have been underwhelming and he needs to recapture his mojo.

11

Loxley

Hasn’t won since August 2018, a G2 on soft ground at Deauville. Beaten in a tight finish by today’s rival Pablo Escobarr at Kempton in December but his two Meydan starts in 2020 need improving on.