Meydan 17:00 Winner Betting Odds

African Story was the surprise winner of this last year when it was run on Tapeta. He's continued in good form on Dirt having beaten his old rival Prince Bishop narrowly in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge on Super Saturday but faces some formidable rivals here. California Chrome failed in his bid to land the Triple Crown last season when only fourth at Belmont, the only time he's started beyond 1m2f. There were probably other reasons for the defeat but he has been beaten in three of his four subsequent starts. However, there were extenuating circumstances in all of them and he did land a Grade 1 at Del Mar in November. His compatriot Lea is also a winner at the highest level on Dirt and is greatly respected despite his defeat at Gulfstream last month. Hokko Tarumae was well beaten in this last year but has looked a different proposition back in Japan where his three victories at the turn of the year contained two at Group 1 level, though his compatriot EPIPHANEIA may be the one to upset the USA challenge. He's probably better over slightly further, as he showed when beating Just A Way in a top-class renewal of the Japan Cup, and though subsequently only fifth behind the brilliant Gentildonna in the Arima Kinen at Nakayama he was in front at this trip and only succumbed close home.

Oddschecker verdict will be available soon.