Frankie Dettori admits Sloane Avenue's wide draw in the Godolphin Mile is far from ideal, but still expects his mount to put up a bold show at Meydan on Saturday.
The Jeremy Noseda-trained runner is drawn 15 of 15 in the Group Two event but arrives on the back of Listed win at Kempton last November, an effort which gives Dettori plenty of hope.
He said: "I'd have preferred to be drawn somewhere in the middle, but he's the best horse in the race and if I can get a clear run, he'll be knocking at the door."
Noseda tried his luck in America with Sloane Avenue last term, finishing down the field in a Grade Three event on turf, but he expects the four-year-old to be suited by the dirt surface as a close relation of Breeders' Cup Classic winner Blame, although the draw is also a concern for him.
"Everything has been good, bar the draw, which has not been kind to us at all. We want them to go really fast, so that Frankie can ride a patient race and negate the draw. Then we need to pray for a miracle," he said.
"I've been dying to get him on the dirt, because although he enjoys Polytrack, everything about his pedigree suggests he'll be even better on dirt.
"I really did think he had a big chance, and he may still have, if we get a lucky break."
William Haggas fields recent Wolverhampton winner Graphic while Brendan Powell gives dual Meydan handicap winner Dark Emerald another chance in a Group Two.
Powell said: "I couldn't be happier with his condition. He's coped very well with a long campaign."
Godolphin interests are represented by ex-Australian runner Free Wheeling, who finished third behind Dark Emerald most recently.
Jockey James Doyle said: "His run on dirt did not really go our way. He jumped OK from the gate but got hampered, lost momentum and position so it is hard to judge him on that effort.
"He has it to do, though it is not a strong race - Free Wheeling is quite a speedy type who always seems to give his running."
The Musabah Al Muhairi-trained Tamarkuz holds a strong chance after winning his last three starts over course and distance, including two victories at Group Three level.
He will be ridden by Paul Hanagan while Dane O'Neill will be on stablemate Nolohay.
"Both of ours are course and distance winners," said Al Muhairi.
"We have been lucky with the draw for both of them and hopefully they will run big races."
Gold City finished second to Tamarkuz last time out and he is one of two runners for Satish Seemar along with Surfer, who draw the short straw when landed with the widest stall of all in 16.
Seemar said: "If any horse deserves a decent draw it is Surfer. He has been so unlucky with draws so many times. We have to hope but it will be little short of a miracle if he was to win from there.
"With Gold City the draw is less of an issue as he comes from off the pace."
Layl is another local runner who has been holding his own but trainer Doug Watson was hardly thrilled to be drawn in stall 14.
He said: "Disappointed would be an understatement, when I saw the draw. Pat (Dobbs, jockey) knows the horse well so we will probably just have to let the speed horses get on with it and try to pick up the pieces in the straight.
"At least our horse will face the kickback and he is going to be a really nice horse next season."
