Impossible to bet on this race since they have moved it to Meydan and on the Tapeta!!
In the last 3 years NO horse has PLACED in single figure odds!!!!
Best advice would be to steer well clear. Especially if there is a slow early pace again which will totally ruin it for horse's like
Animal Kingdom.
However if tempted to bet....
Hunters Light 4/1
Royal Delta 4/1
Animal Kingdom 11/2
African Story 9/1
Planteur 12/1
Dullahan 12/1
Kassiano 14/1
Monterosso 16/1
Capponi 16/1
Meandre 20/1
Side Glance 25/1
Treasure Beach 25/1
Red Cadeux 25/1
Logically the choice has to be
Hunters Light. Has a good draw, likes the track and the distance. Maybe not top class but then neither was Monterosso or Capponi last year!!
I like
Animal Kingdom but first time up at the track, and with an abysmal draw, and 11/2?? No chance. If he was 10/1 then maybe but not at those odds.
Royal Delta was hampered badly last year when appearing to travel well? I think the jockey will need to have her more prominently positioned to feature this time. At 4/1 she is just too short.
African Story has had just one run this year, and that was in a pretty weak G3. Never raced beyond a mile so stamina is an obvious worry.
Dullahan I just couldn't have. Terrible prep run and often held up. Not ideal at Meydan.
Planteur wasn't good enough a year ago so no reason to believe he will do any better this time?
Kassiano is similar to Capponi last year in that he is experienced at the track and is improving with every run. Could surprise but has an awful draw!!
Monterosso and
Capponi have both had their problems and are another year older. I would expect Godolphin to be mightily disappointed if Hunter's Light wasn't better than these two?
Meandre has never won over a trip this short. Could be finishing to good effect but will surely find the race happening way ahead of him?
Side Glance shouldn't be good enough but was staying on over 9f on his Meydan debut and could surprise if taking to the surface?
Treasure Beach I have always felt got a rough deal from Aiden O'Brien. Been used as cannon fodder for his more fashionable types previously. I've always felt there was another decent race in him but more likely over further.
Red Cadeaux needs further!!
In conclusion I would have to go for
Hunter's Light as the safest option, despite the terrible recent record of fancied horses.
Kassiano would be my next best followed by
African Story.
Im sure I will be proved completely wrong come Saturday!!