1

Blown By Wind

Can be slow at the gates as he was last time, disappointing badly in that G2. Very talented at his best as he showed when smoothly winning a G3 over 1600m at Jebel Ali previously.

2

Casey Jones

Slowly away (as he sometimes is) but powerful in the straight when winning over course and distance last November. His supporters will need to ignore a dismal effort in January last out.

3

Chiefdom

His impressive win over this trip here early last year came on a turf surface, but he’s adaptable and pretty smart on dirt too. Quite encouraging after a year off when just tiring late on here recently.

4

Desert Doctor

His eight career wins in the UK have all come at sprint trips but, in preparation for this, he tried this distance in a handicap here last month, finishing 7th – never able to seriously threaten.

5

Dubai Icon

Sometimes slowly away but not last time, and kept galloping when a good 2nd in a 2000m handicap. Has a wide gate to contend with whilst a fierce pace would bring his stamina into play.

6

Golden Goal

Clearly likes this track having won two of his four starts here – including at 1600m – and he broke the course record time over 1400m two starts back. Didn’t show quite the same zest last time.

7

Kimbear

Leading and battling back after being headed, he won this race in 2018. Some good and bad efforts since, and needs to prove that he is not on a downward path. A respectable 3rd in a G3 last time.

8

Madkhal

Jockey Adrie de Vries has a good rapport with him and they gained their second Meydan win this season with a convincing victory over 1200m here last month. Will 1600m suit so well?

9

Midnight Sands

Clearly loves this place, gaining five straight wins here between 2019 and 2020, the last coming in a particularly impressive time. Returns to Meydan after a winless three-race stint in the US.

10

North America

Absolutely brilliant on his day with a whole succession of Meydan wins over 1600m, 1900m and 2000m including at G1 level. A veteran now and with bad feet, it is a case of hope not confidence.

11

Oasis Charm

Formerly UK-trained but won a 2000m turf handicap at Meydan in 2019. Beaten out of sight in two starts here in 2021 so no grounds for hope.

12

Prompting

Won three consecutive turf handicaps in a short space of time in the UK last year. Two decent Meydan starts on turf this year when the 1800m trip may have stretched his stamina. On the dirt now.

13

Royal Dornoch

Had a terrific early career including a super-fast victory in a 1600m G2 at Newmarket in 2019. However well down the field at Riyadh last time and, leaving a turf surface, he faces dirt specialists here.

14

Trancaferro

Had some quite smart form in South America but, though not disgraced on either Meydan start, no evidence either to suggest that he is a smart enough dirt contender to win this.

15

Tuz

Though his wide-margin victories in Russia may not amount to much, he has shown himself to be smart in two Meydan starts, latterly when 4th here in February after an absence.

16

Down On Da Bayou

Career highlight by far was when she led and drew clear to win a 1900m Meydan G3 in 2020. Not very big, she has run much less well in two starts since. Hard to fancy.

Reserves

17

Bright Start

Quite talented and very consistent, finishing in the first four in all seven starts. A prominent racer, his second in a decent handicap over this course and distance last month was again encouraging.

18

Real World

Lightly raced but appears gradually progressive though slow starts don’t help his cause. Not beaten far in a handicap here last month but drops back to 1600m from 2000m – not guaranteed to suit.