1

Marinaresco

A winner of the prestigious Durban July at Greyville back in 2017, but that lively form has not been repeated since though he wasn't beaten that far in a 2410m G2 here last time, briefly threatening. Hard to fancy unless this big rise in distance helps significantly.

2

Call The Wind

Beautifully bred and, even if his pedigree doesn't shout out this distance, he has already proved himself over even further - showing class and determination to win the prestigious G1 Prix du Cadran over 4000m at Longchamp last October. Tuned up for this with a good Chantilly all-weather effort this month.

3

Red Galileo

Godolphin launch a strong challenge on this but facts and figures suggest that he is their weakest contender. Prominent from the gate in this last year, but he faded when things got serious. Typically consistent in recent Meydan starts, but probably just not good enough.

4

Platinum Warrior

A G3 winner over 2000m at The Curragh when trained in Ireland last year, then making a successful switch to the USA that climaxed with a G2 success over 2000m at Santa Anita last month. So in good form for this Meydan debut but will need to prove his stamina at this testing trip.

5

Prince Of Arran

Briefly looked like winning the G1 Melbourne Cup over this distance last November, still running a cracking 3rd to Cross Counter in that Flemington spectacular. Lacked the pace from a tricky gate in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase but prepped for this encouragingly in a G2 here this month.

6

Ispolini

Not the number one horse from the stable with Cross Counter in the field but he's still very smart and progressive, having posted career best efforts on his last two starts when moving up to 2810m. Most recently he challenged smoothly from off the speed to easily win a G3 here last month.

7

Sharpalo

Running consistently well at Meydan this year but facts and figures suggest he won't be good enough here plus no particular reason to suggest he'll improve up to this trip. He ran a respectable 5th - having to come wide - in a 2410m G2 here this month.

8

Team Talk

This lightly-raced gelding came fast and late when a close 2nd in a 2000m handicap here in January. However he could never get himself into a threatening position in a 2410m G2 here this month with some of these rivals ahead of him. No guarantee that the big rise in distance will help greatly.

9

Cross Counter

Not seen since his powerful late surge secured the G1 Melbourne Cup at Flemington last November, his fifth win in just eight starts in a well-planned career. Clearly travelling presents no problem to this gelding who had earlier looked increasingly high class in the UK. A major contender, surely.

10

Gold Mount

Not at his high class best in recent Hong Kong starts but not disgraced either and would be in with a big shout if able to repeat his very smart placed efforts in Sha Tin G1's last year. A closer, he has often given the impression that a longer trip might suit, and that he gets for this Meydan adventure.