1

El Patriota

A G1 winner in Uruguay and proved that talent could transfer to Dubai with a stylish defeat – despite a wide gate – of 14 rivals in the trial for this event. On that evidence he is a serious player here.

2

Effectif

Trained by Mike de Kock who has had such Dubai success. Improvement expected but it will certainly be needed from this colt who has failed to make much impact in two starts here.

3

Endifaa

Has shown some promise on all three starts and, though he ran out of gas after leading much of the way, his third to El Patriota in the trial for this in January, puts him in the equation.

4

Fire Group

His four UAE runs suggest that a good deal of progress is required if he is to hold a winning chance here. Most recently he never threatened the leaders in a 1600m maiden here in February.

5

Grand Dubai

Has plenty of experience and a proven winner, showing too much late pace for his rivals to win a 1600m maiden here in December. But beaten quite a long way in four runs since then.

6

Leopardo

Won on his debut last year and only just beaten in two other UK runs. Appeared fancied on his Meydan debut but never figured seriously, and didn’t do much better when tried on turf last time.

7

Mayehaab

Leading 300m out he made a winning debut in a 1400m maiden last month, then raced too keenly early on when weakening late in a 1600m Listed event. Pedigree positive about this longer trip.

8

Panadol

Mickael Barzalona’s mount is surely one of the key players here despite a wide gate. He looked smart when winning a 1600m maiden here last month, soon leading and surging to a 7.8L victory over 10 rivals.

9

Sharp Spun

Did show a little promise on his Meydan debut but two fairly dismal runs since indicate that his prospects here are very remote.

10

Speight’spercomete

Has improved for each of his Meydan runs notably when second in the trial for this, never threatening El Patriota but he did have to travel wider than that opponent. Possibilities here.

11

Khatun

A 1200m maiden winner in Jagersro, Sweden, last November. Has run in two hot races at Meydan but appears to have been simply outclassed each time.

12

Nayefah

Has finished second in three of her four Meydan races starts. Did best last time when trying this trip. Slowly away and outpaced but found some momentum in the straight.