1

Banishing

Could only manage a midfield finish in the G1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (1800m) on the dirt at Gulfstream Park on 24 January and faces even stiffer company here. Prefer others.

2

Bishops Bay

Hardly put a foot wrong in 2025, winning six of eight starts and notching a second, but was found wanting in his one outing in elite company. Looks a place chance at best.

3

Forever Young

Knocked off Romantic Warrior in an epic renewal of this race 12 months ago and has added to his legend since with G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic (2000m) success. Very hard to beat.

4

Haqeet

Local galloper will start one of the long shots of the field and while he is honest and a winner at the course and distance, this looks very much a stretch.

5

Luxor Cafe

Connections are aiming high with the Japanese four-year-old but his last-start 15th in the G1 Champions Cup over the dirt 1800m at Chukyo doesn’t instil great confidence. Could place with improvement.

6

Mhally

One of the leading local hopes after a strong run of form which culminated with victory in a G3 on 17 January but still looks a level below the raiding party.

7

Nevada Beach

One of two Bob Baffert-trained runners in the race, both of whom look as good a chance as anything of knocking off Forever Young, but this four-year-old might be his stable’s second seed after going down to stablemate Nysos last start. Strong place chance.

8

Nysos

Edged stablemate Nevada Beach in a Santa Anita G2 last start and looms as Forever Young’s biggest danger. Has won seven of eight career starts including the G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (1600m) and deserves his spot here.

9

Rattle N Roll

Finished fifth in this race last year but was almost 13 lengths off the victorious Forever Young and a reverse here would surprise. Can trouble the top four, however.

10

Star Of Wonder

Has taken to the Riyadh track with aplomb, winning both his starts since switching from the United States, but this is a huge step up. Look elsewhere.

11

Sunrise Zipangu

Was an eye-catching fifth against some serious opposition in the G1 Arima Kinen (2500m) on 28 December, finishing only two lengths off winner Museum Mile, and is not the worst here.

12

Thundersquall

Enters the race in winning form after a last-start success here over 2000m, but like all of the local gallopers looks to have his work cut out here.

13

Tumbarumba

Has been plying his trade in Dubai, building nicely through two starts at Meydan and finishing second in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge (1900m) last start. Looks a solid each-way play.

14

Ameerat Alzamaan

Has made an impressive start to her career, winning six of eight starts, and found only the reopposing Mhally too good in a G3 over this course and distance last start. Tough ask here but shouldn’t be disgraced.