1

Cagliostro

Formerly trained in the US where he had some smart dirt form at this trip. Placed in a G3 over this course and distance this year, but improvement much needed from the latest when he was been pushed a long way from home though he did keep on.

2

Fort Payne

Returning to the dirt and ridden by this superb Irish-based jockey for the first time, he travelled nicely and faced the kickback well to score a surprise victory in a G3 over this course and distance last month. Dylan McMonagle will try to repeat that trick again.

3

Kazu Petrin

This four-time dirt winner has his first run outside Japan here. Last two starts have not been his best, however, Cristian Demuro’s mount will probably trade as one of the outsiders.

4

King Gold

This veteran is versatile, gaining his second win on an artificial surface when surging late under this rider to land a big surprise victory over this course and distance, edging out last year’s Dubai World Cup winner in that January G3. Needs to repeat that.

5

Little Vic

First time outside the US but put in a sparkling performance when winning a 1600m G3 at Gulfstream Park in January. The second has enhanced that form with a subsequent victory. But his wide gate looks an issue.

6

Mendelssohn Bay

A surprise winner of a G3 over this course and distance early last year. Also, third over this course and distance on his latest start but looked then as though a longer trip was needed. Hard to fancy.

7

Meshtri

In hot form over this course and distance last December when leading throughout to comfortably win a G2. Couldn’t get to the front here on his latest start and finished well beaten. A return to that December performance needed.

8

Mufasa

A prolific winner over a variety of trips – including this one – when trained in Chile, and subsequently also thriving in the US, most recently upsetting a multiple G1 winner and eight others at Gulfstream Park in December. Deserves plenty of respect.

9

No Lunch

Looks to have improved since moving to this stable, winning both starts and most recently limbered up for this with a comfortable success over this trip on the Chantilly polytrack surface last month. Has a wide gate to overcome.

10

Oasis Boy

From a stable with a good record in this, and he ran his best race since joining the stable when second in a G3 here last month, only getting worn down in the closing stages. There could be some more improvement to come.

11

Peptide Nile

Has G1 winning form over this trip on the dirt in Tokyo, posting another good G1 effort over the same course and distance when fourth of 16 there in February.

12

Qareeb

Always behind in this last year though there may have been physical reasons for that poor show. Some decent efforts in the last few months including a G3 Jebel Ali Mile win under this jockey. But it would be a surprise if a few rivals weren’t too good for him here.

13

Raging Torrent

Jockey here Frankie Dettori was partnering him for the first time when posting probably a career-best performance to win a 1400m G1 at Santa Anita last December. Strongest at the finish then and though yet to win at 1600m his trainer – who won this last year – reckons this one-turn mile will be ideal.

14

Sadaaty

Already twice a winner this year at neighbouring Jebel Ali though the quality of races there is widely considered to be not as strong as Meydan. No worries with this trip but some rivals are expected to be too strong.

15

Steal Sunshine

Not a frequent winner but he did land a 1600m G2 at Gulfstream Park last March. A solid second in the same race last month suggests that he comes to Meydan in good shape.

16

Sword Point

This six-times winner is significantly unbeaten in two starts on the dirt, handicaps at Sha Tin (surviving an objection on the most recent, in January) over 1650m. This represents a rise in class but his rating suggests he has chances of getting into the money.