Maxime Guyon

He makes the journey mainly for Junko And Sober, both of which recently made their respective comebacks. Junko is in with a shout while Sober is less-favoured in the Gold Cup, as is Facteur Cheval in the Turf. It is with Hadi De Carrère in the Kahayla Classic that he can secure a first podium place.

Mickael Barzalona

Alarqam faces a test at this level but surprises are not uncommon in the purebred-arabian category. It won’t be easy either for Sevenna’s Knight in the Gold Cup. Frost At Dawn will be expected to confirm in the Al Quoz Sprint, while Auto Bahn may struggle in the UAE Derby. Runner-up to Romantic Warrior last month at Sha Tin, Voyage Bubble will have his chances.

Christophe Soumillon

Second in a Listed before finishing 4th in the Saudi version of the Gold Cup, Al Nayyir is his first of the evening, and peripheral chance, Oasis Boy, his second.

Stéphane Pasquier

Less performant this winter, King Gold runs the Al Quoz Sprint, but with limited chances.

Lukas Delozier

Sisfahan made a solid comeback earlier in the month but will need to be sharper to win the Sheema Classic.

Cristian Demuro (assimilated French!)

Caramel Chip in the Godolphin Mile, Iron Barows in the Gold Cup, and Don Frankie in the Golden Shaheen, are all considered outsiders, while chances improve with Namur in the Turf. 2022 Sheema Classic winner, Shahryar is his best hope of the evening.

Christophe Lemaire

Keiai Dorie has modest prospects in the Golden Shaheen, as does Catnip in the Turf. Stars On Earth is a different class and has a serious chance in the Sheema Classic. UAE Derby winner 2023, Derma Sotogake, runs the World Cup to win it.

Florent Geroux

If Saudi Crown reproduces his Saudi Cup performance, he will be hard to beat in the Godolphin Mile. In contrast, Run Classic’s Golden Shaheen prospects are unexceptional.