G1 – 1200m – Dirt
| 1 | Bold Journey | A high percentage US win and place strike rate and a 1200m dirt specialist. Came late to run a solid third of 11 in a G3 at King Abdulaziz racecourse on 24 February. |
| 2 | Colour Up | A winner three times over this course and distance and quickened nicely to land a 1000m Listed event at Jebel Ali last time. Fast but doesn’t really appeal as a G1 winner. |
| 3 | Don Frankie | Plenty of winning dirt form in Japan over this trip and further. Couldn’t handle G1 company – admittedly over 1600m – in Tokyo last month and it might be the same again here. |
| 4 | Freedom Fighter | Has terrific speed but feet problems have not helped his career. Led in a G3 here early this month but couldn’t fend off stablemate Leading Spirit in the last 200m. |
| 5 | Hopkins | Beaten a nose in the same February Santa Anita G3 he had won last year. Led most of the way in this race in 2023 and, though not quite fending off closers, was only 1L behind winner Sibelius. |
| 6 | Igniter | Mostly races over further but did beat today’s rival Remake by 1.5L in a 1200m JPN G1 event at Ohi in November. An outsider when making little impact in a 1600m G1 at Tokyo last month. |
| 7 | Keiai Dorie | Judging from his form in Japan, 1200m on a dirt surface is ideal. His 9.3L sixth in a G3 at King Abdulaziz racecourse last month can be upgraded as he had an uncomfortable trip. |
| 8 | Leading Spirit | Tactics have changed with this veteran, formerly mostly up with the speed and now more of a closer. Figures suggest that his course and distance victory here this month was about a career best. |
| 9 | Mouheeb | Very effective over this course and distance and gained his second Meydan G3 win when swooping and charging clear of his rivals – some of whom reoppose here – in January. Chances. |
| 10 | Nakatomi | A consistent US speedster on dirt at this trip with a career highlight being his 2L third in a G1 at Santa Anita last November. Likely to be sharper for his recent third to Sibelius at Tampa Bay. |
| 11 | Remake | A classy and consistent dirt sprinter from Japan. Was doing best late when fifth in this in 2023, most recently surging past tiring rivals to easily win a G3 in Saudi Arabia last month. Likely to close fast again. |
| 12 | Run Classic | First time outside the US but showing plenty of flair lately, winning his last two starts most recently with a dominant display in 1200m Listed company at Gulfstream Park. |
| 13 | Sibelius | The defending champion who won this – also under Ryan Moore – in 2023. Victories on his last two starts – at Gulfstream Park (1400m G3) and Tampa Bay (1200m Listed) will add confidence. |
| 14 | Tuz | Hasn’t historically made a massive impact at this meeting, but stylish from the front when winning a G3 over this course and distance in a quick time in January. Apparently, the deeper dirt surface didn’t suit in Saudi Arabia last time. |
