1

Kimbear

It took no time for Meydan dirt expert trainer Doug Watson to get a win out of ex-US recruit Kimbear who romped to a 5L handicap victory over this distance in January. Two good seconds since, and jockey Pat Dobbs will surely want to exploit his low gate here with the rail so often favoured at this meeting.

2

Ross 

Runner-up in this for the last two years though some Meydan racewatchers have questioned his enthusiasm on the Meydan dirt. He did finish second in a G2 later last March though a frenetic pace on the muddy ground helped this late closer that day. The faster they go the better for Ross.

3

Top Clearance

Brett Doyle's mount has quite frequently disappointed here over this distance and further though he did win a relatively uncompetitive Meydan handicap in 2016. Always forwardly positioned over further than this at Jebel Ali last time but he ran out of gas late on.

4

Drafted

Won handicaps over 1200m and 1400m here earlier in the year, both times looking outpaced early but then gathering momentum as the leaders came back to the field. In a handicap on his first attempt over this distance here last month, he could never get into serious contention.

5

Musawaat

Useful in the UK but may be even better now. Slowly away for his Meydan debut over 1400m on dirt, he finished strongly - only beaten a head by today's rival Secret Ambition with the pair clear of the rest. A fast finisher again when runner-up over this distance on turf earlier this month.

6

God's Speed

Has had plenty of different trainers in his career, his wins in this part of the world coming in Saudi Arabia where the standard is notably lower. Well beaten both times he has competed at Meydan - including earlier this month - so his winning hopes don't look bright.

7

Classic Emperor

Has improved since switching to the Sha Tin dirt,easily winning a 1650m Class 2 in November and overcoming top weight for a smart 0.5L score over the same distance most recently. Wasn't able to prove himself at Meydan - stumbling leaving the gates and unseating Derek Leung - in a handicap last month. Oisin Murphy will ride this time.

8

Grey Britain

Looked to enjoy himself out in front when winning a 2000m Listed event under today's rider at Newmarket last May. On his first start for 211 days he was well behind in a turf handicap here earlier this month and now tries Meydan's dirt surface for the first time.

9

Fantastic Four

Had some high-level form - including a G1 victory over this distance - in his native Argentina. He dominated from the start to win a local G3 in Saudi Arabia in January. However he'll need to improve plenty from his two subsequent starts here.

10

Secret Ambition

Very effective on this surface at Meydan and has won three of his last four starts. Most recently he led early in a 1400m handicap and, though only just fending off today's rival Musawaat, the pair were along way clear of the rest. Has a much higher gate to contend with but jockey Richard Mullen is an expert on this track.

11

Daily Bulletin

A useful handicapper at around this distance in the UK and he made an excellent start in the UAE when winning easily - always prominent - on the dirt at Jebel Ali last November. A dismal effort on his Meydan debut the following month was surely too bad to be true.

12

Dream Castle

His previous nine starts have been on turf but he's proven at this distance and two solid efforts in G2's - not far away either time - here last month suggest he's in good shape. Chances if he enjoys the surface whilst a visor replaces the cheekpieces he wore on his last start.

13

Heavy Metal

Romped away with this race last year, setting a scorching pace which took his rivals out of their comfort zones - usual tactics for him. Having another terrific Meydan campaign and a runaway winner again last time. His high gate won't make his usual tactics so easy but he's a formidable opponent for the rest.