1

Dancing Prince

His high winning strike rate in top Japanese dirt sprints will make him popular again, added to the fact that he was a very convincing winner of this last year. Bumped twice early on, but he was still able to lead most of the way and win easily.

2

Elite Power

Charged down the middle of the track to deliver a winning punch in the prestigious G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland last November, his fifth straight victory. A very serious US challenger.

3

Freedom Fighter

Looks vulnerable. He has had some difficult gates to contend with in 1200m Meydan G3s in his last four starts, but still does not look good enough.

4

Gunite

Very effective over this trip and further on dirt in the US, prepping for this with an easy win on a sloppy dirt track at Oaklawn Park in January.

5

Justin

A specialist at this trip but there are certainly faster dirt sprinters in Japan plus he was beaten 7.75l when a fading sixth in this race in 2021.

6

Meraas

Nothing special when trained in the UK but did subsequently win twice over this trip on the dirt at Meydan, including a G3. He has moved again – to the US. Not an obvious winner.

7

Pagan

Twice a winner in the UK, but on turf for which he looks to be bred. Likely to struggle here.

8

Remake

Has a good win and place record in Japan and though competing over further, he proved himself at this trip with a convincing 4l success in a G3 in December. Still improving on that evidence.

9

Ryuno Yukina

Although he is at the veteran stage now and is more often placed than he wins, he remains a formidable opponent and got very close to Dancing Prince – last year’s easy winner of this – last November.