So You Think is the top-rated, has the best form and is well drawn so he's obviously the one to beat but he represents poor value in a race where the Japanese challenge looks very strong. Aidan O'Brien's colt will be having his first start on the surface and didn't produce his very best form in his last three starts last season though he still managed three Group 1 victories. SMART FALCON has won 19 of his 26 starts, mostly on Dirt, and had a length to spare over Transcend in a Grade 1 in November. He looks the best of the Japan raiding party, though Eishin Flash is another high-class performer, and can follow his compatriot Victoire Pisa by taking this huge prize. Connections of Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up Game On Dude don't appear too perturbed about his draw and Bob Baffert will have him primed for a massive run while Marco Botti's French import Planteur comes to hand early as he did when landing the Prix Ganay from a high-class field last April. Zazou, who beat Cirrus Des Aigles at Chantilly at the beginning of the month, is still progressing and is another with a very good chance.
Master Of Hounds (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Quickly away to lead, clear over 2f out, ran on well, held on, won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Grp 1 (1) gd beating City Style (9-0) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Eishin Flash (JPN) (9-0) Midfield, going well when challenging over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Orfevre (8-9) at Nakayama(JPN) 1m 4f Grp 1 gd in Dec.
Zazou (GER) (9-6) Held up in rear, smooth headway 2f out, quickened away 1f out, easily, won at Chantilly(FR) 1m 1f stk gd beating Cirrus Des Aigles (9-6) by 2l, 5 ran.
So You Think (NZ) 5-1 (9-0) Bumped, bid, weakened, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Drosselmeyer (9-0) at Churchill Downs(USA) 1m 2f 3yo stks (1) in Nov.
Smart Falcon (JPN) (8-13) Made all, ridden clear entering straight, well clear over 1f out, readily, won at Kawasaki(JPN) 1m 2f 3yo Listed stks in Jan, 0 ran.
Planteur (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Midfield, ridden over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, eased close home, last of 8, 18l behind Excelebration (8-11) at Longchamp(FR) 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
Royal Delta (USA) 11-10 (8-11) Stumbled start, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Awesome Maria (8-11) at Gulfstream(USA) 1m Arab Race in Feb.
Monterosso 5-1 (9-0) Held up in midfield, Chased leaders over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 14, 7l behind Capponi (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f Group 1 stks (4yo+) (1).
Transcend (JPN) (9-0) Slowly away, driven along to track leaders 5f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression 1f out, 7th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Testa Matta (9-0) at Tokyo(JPN) 1m stks gd in Feb.
Capponi (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f Group 1 stks (4yo+) (1) beating Silver Pond (9-0) by 4l, 14 ran.
Prince Bishop (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Slowly away, headway to track leaders, every chance over 1f out, not quicken, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Capponi (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f Group 1 stks (4yo+) (1).
Mendip (USA) 5-1 (9-0) Held up in midfield, never a factor, 11th of 14, 32l behind Capponi (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f Group 1 stks (4yo+) (1).
Game On Dude (USA) 3-10fav (8-11) Off bit slow,cleared, won at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 1f Arab Race in Feb beating Uh Oh Bango (8-11) by 5l, 7 ran.
Silver Pond (FR) 12-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Capponi (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f Group 1 stks (4yo+) (1).