Animal Kingdom won this for the USA a year ago from the outside stall 12 but there are four more runners this time and Ron The Greek will need to perform miracles to stage a repeat, especially as he's a Dirt specialist. The globe-trotting Red Cadeaux did brilliantly to finish runner-up a year ago but hasn't won subsequently unlike fourth-placed Side Glance, who produced a superb performance to land the Mackinnon at Flemington and has had a run here to put him straight. African Story wasn't beaten far a year ago though the feeling is that it's a better race this time around and there's more runners. Prince Bishop arrives in top form having beaten Sanshaawes in a Group 1 three weeks ago but he's twice finished mid-division in this. Mukhadram is another drawn out wide and his overall form is just lacking while those who fancy Ruler Of The World to defy stall 12 would do well to trawl through last year's Derby form as it couldn't possibly have worked out any worse. Akeed Mofeed started a short-priced favourite at Sha-Tin last month but was put in his place by Military Attack, who was a length behind him in the Hong Kong Cup with Side Glance very close up in fifth. Military Attack had earlier won the Singapore Airlines Cup in very impressive fashion and if handling the Tapeta will be a big player. Hillstar bids to land this for his yard, who produced Singspiel to a famous victory in 1997 and he's been reportedly working well on the surface. BELSHAZZAR and Hokko Tarumae have been beating each other with regularity at the highest level in Japan and the form looks solid enough for this. Preference is just for the former who is better drawn and his rider has more experience of the track.
Prince Bishop (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1) beating Sanshaawes (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Belshazzar (JPN) (8-13) 3rd of 0, 2 1/4l behind Copano Rickey (8-13) at Tokyo(JPN) 1m fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Feb.
Vancouverite 7-1 (9-0) 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Vercingetorix (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Grp 1 (1) std.
Akeed Mofeed (9-0) 5th of 7, 6l behind Military Attack (9-0) at Sha Tin(HK) 1m 2f stk gd in Feb.
Sanshaawes (SAF) 12-1 (9-0) 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Prince Bishop (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1).
African Story Evensfav (9-0) 8th of 14, 3l behind Prince Bishop (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1).
Hillstar 14-1 (8-12) Took keen hold early, held up towards rear, headway on outside 2f out, plugged on final furlong, never going pace to get involved, 6th of 10, 8l behind Farhh (9-3) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct.
Military Attack (IRE) (9-0) won at Sha Tin(HK) 1m 2f stk gd in Feb beating Dan Excel (9-0) by 3l, 7 ran.
Side Glance 9-1 (9-0) 7th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Prince Bishop (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1).
Surfer (USA) 25-1 (9-0) 3rd of 14, 2l behind Prince Bishop (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1).
Ruler Of The World (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) Held up in 7th, headway on outside 4f out, chased leaders over 2f out, stayed on to 3rd approaching final furlong, kept on in closing stages, never quite going pace to challenge, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Farhh (9-3) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct.
Mukhadram 14-1 (9-3) Held up in last pair, some headway but not quicken 2f out, plugged on inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 7l behind Farhh (9-3) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct.
Red Cadeaux 5-1 (9-0) 4th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Dominant (9-0) at Sha Tin(HK) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Dec.
Cat O'Mountain (USA) 8-1 (9-0) 4th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Prince Bishop (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1).
Ron The Greek (USA) 20-1 (9-0) Bold rail run from 3/8, won at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) fst in Sep beating Palace Malice (8-10) by 7l, 8 ran.
