1

Spotify

A Meydan regular with plenty of high class performances here, sometimes leading. Tends to race over further than this though should be sharper for his recent return.

2

Wait Forever

Won at up to G3 level when trained in Italy. Generally running well in Meydan handicaps lately but facts and figures suggest he has plenty on his plate here.

3

Ajwad

Plenty of Meydan experience over a variety of trips. Had a rewarding spell here last year but his wins were at a significantly lower level that this. Has lots of gate speed.
  

4

Moqtarreb

A close second in a hot Meydan handicap last time, though very little ground separated the first ten home. Ratings indicate that this represents a tough challenge.

5

Al Sahem

A G1 winner in South Africa back in 2017. However his Meydan adventures have been much less rewarding and has been beaten out of sight on his last two starts.

6

Royal Meeting

A G1 winner over 1400m at Chantilly as a two-year-old but has not been able to build on that since and soundly beaten on both Meydan starts this year.

7

Surrounding

Classy and tough but none of her nine wins have come over as far as this. Travelled well but just ran out of stamina late on when fourth in a Meydan G2 over this distance last month.

8

Magic Lily

Lightly raced but a really classy filly who appeared to post a career best in a G2 over this trip last month, leading 300m out and courageously grinding out victory. She’s got chances here.

9

Masaarr

Has had problems and some lengthy breaks between starts. He did run a close fourth in a hot Meydan handicap last month but would need to do a fair bit better to win this G1.

10

Dream Castle

This classy operator stylishly landed this race last year, though he had won his two previous races which is not the same this time. However his last two starts – in G2 company – both suggest a return to form.

11

Eqtiraan

Not guaranteed to last this trip and, in any case, recent efforts have not given any hint that he can win this G1.

12

Barney Roy

A G1 winner at Royal Ascot in 2017 and, though his career has not been straightforward, this long-striding gelding looked ideally suited by this course and distance when quite easily beating Dream Castle in a G2 here in January.

13

Freescape

Not disgraced in three Meydan handicap starts this season but his achievements are way below what is required to win this.