1

Atletico El Culano

G1 winning form in Uruguay over further. Well beaten in G2 and G1 Meydan company on his last two starts and will probably again struggle here.

2

Bathrat Leon

A long odds winner of this race last year, grabbing an early lead from the lowest gate. Back in top form when winning a turf G3 from the front at King Abdulaziz last month. Much respected.

3

Desert Wisdom

Solid course and distance form last year, including a G3 victory and second to Bathrat Leon in this. Early 2023 disappointments at Meydan, but some encouragement last time.

4

Discovery Island

Smooth progress in the last 500m saw him record a career best effort when winning a G3 over this course and distance this month. With the blinkers on that seemed to help him then.

5

Egot

Has mostly competed on turf -including two G3 wins -but his last two runs have been good efforts on all-weather surfaces at home in France. Latterly when second at Chantilly this month.

6

Everfast

Has won over this course and distance in lesser company. A good second in a G3 on a muddy track here in January, but faded out in another G3 last time.

7

Golden Goal

Second in this – but well behind the winner – in 2021 but running poorly in it last year. Led close home to win a 1400m handicap last month. An outsider, though an outsider won this in 2022.

8

Isolate

Formerly US-trained he has finished second in two 1200m G3’s at Meydan this season. Up to 1600m and provided it helps – though not certain on pedigree – he would have good prospects.

9

Lauda Sion

This Japanese raider came close to a shock win in a 1400m G2 at Hanshin in December, ridden by Bauyrzhan Murzabayev. Switches to dirt, but his dam did win on a dirt surface.

10

Law Of Peace

Very effective at Meydan with three wins here last year. Doing his best work at the finish when fourth in a 2000m G1 here this month. Back in trip, and a fast tempo would suit.

11

Prince Eiji

Has had some significant breaks between races but he is a real athlete who is well suited to Meydan’s dirt surface as he showed again when winning a G3 on a muddy surface in January.

12

Raaeb

Led 500m out and briefly looked like staying in front only to be closed down by his rival here Discovery Island in a G3 here this month. That was his best ever run at this track.

13

Royal Mews

A prominent racer who should be helped by his low gate. He won a course and distance handicap here in January and was a good third in a G3 here this month.

14

Win Carnelian

Switches from turf to dirt, but that tactic worked perfectly for a Japanese-trained horse in last month’s Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz. Comes here in good shape judging by his G3 win in Tokyo last month.