Young colts in the spotlight

Xin Xu Lin was a top performer in South America. He has won four Group Ones, including two championship events last year, both over 2,400 metres on turf. After taking the Derby Paulista (G1) by almost seven lengths in Brazil, he went on to add the prestigious Clasico Carlos Pellegrini (G1) in Argentina.

Xin Xu Lin beat Send In The Clowns by two lengths, with Fuego E Hierro back in third. The form was given a solid boost when this pair filled first and second in another Group One in February. Xin Xu Lin led all the way in both these races, and similar tactics will probably be employed as he drops down to 1,900 metres in the UAE Derby. He will prefer to make full use of his stamina and if he can do so to full effect, he can give Godolphin their seventh success in this classic.

Globeform: 116p

Khawlah tops a trio of good fillies. She made a perfect reappearance to beat Mahbooba in the UAE Oaks (G2), staged over the Derby distance in February. Mahbooba, trained by Mike de Kock, had previously beaten her stable companion Reem easily in the UAE 1000 Guineas (LR), but Khawlah proved 1¼ lengths too good for her in the Oaks.

Reem has also done her bit to advertise this form, as she was a comfortable winner against the boys on Super Thursday. These results all point to one conclusion; the girls have a chance in this classic — and Khawlah is probably the best.

Globeform: 109p

Sweet Ducky, a US import, improved when runner-up to Dialed In in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) over a mile at Gulfstream Park in January. Dialed In is among the favourites for the Kentucky Derby (G1), so Sweet Ducky must be taken seriously. His form is better than anything we have seen in the classic generation at Meydan this year.

Globeform: 109

Utley looks potentially a big improver. After winning a maiden race in England, he went for the Prix Jean Luc Lagardere (G1) in Paris last autumn. He came home in fifth behind the unbeaten winner Wootton Basset. Utley then travelled on to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G3) at Churchill Downs, and ran a good seventh to Pluck. Set to have his first run of the year, Utley should not be underestimated.

Globeform: 105p

Master Of Hounds also ran in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, and finished one place (though just a nose) in front of Utley. He had previously taken third, 2¾ lengths behind Casamento, in a Group One in England. He has solid form but the question with this colt is; will he improve again as a three-year-old, after quite a busy two-year-old campaign?

Globeform: 108 n

Worth knowing...

Since this race was introduced in 2000, only two trainers have won it; Saaed Bin Suroor (six wins) and Mike de Kock (five).