British Challenge looks strong at Meydan

On Saturday it is the worlds richest race in the Dubai World Cup and we are very privileged to have a stellar UK challenge. The Dubai World Cup is on the worlds biggest racecourse at Meydan where the stand is a staggering 1.6km long. It should be a great night with lots of group 1 races and fields of the highest quality.

People in the UK are interested in the weather and the forecast is for an unseasonably warm  37 degrees which will be alien to many horses from the British yards but we have lots of chances. Although I can confirm I am not by the pool now…..

In the $10 million Dubai World Cup the home charge is led by Henry Cecil and his Prince Khaled Abdulla owned Twice Over. The dual champion stakes winner is now 2-1 favourite over Aidan O’Briens’ Cape Blanco. Interestingly Twice Over has taken a different route from last year. Last year he flew out for the World Cup only arriving five days prior to the race and finished tenth. This year he has been out here since mid February and has had a run already to acclimatise and he won that run in the Maktoum Challenge Round 1. He was very impressive that night overcoming an outside draw to see off his talented rivals that night.

One horse he beat in his trial was Gitano Hernando who finished third. The five year old trained by Marco Botti was 6^th in the race last year and is having his last run for the Newmarket Trainer. He has just been bought by the Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov in a deal thought to be worth $4m. He will join South African trainer Herman Brown after the race so will be hoping to have his last run

Another World cup contender who has changed hands is Cape Blanco the second favourite who was recently part purchased for an undisclosed fee by Jim Hay the Dubai based British businessman.  Cape Blanco flew out on Tuesday. He is to be ridden by Jamie Spencer who rides all Jim Hay’s horses when available.

There are challenges from other countries with the Japanese supermare Buena Vista ridden by English jockey Ryan Moore and Godolphin are to be represented by three horses including Poets Voice who won the Group 1  QE2 Stakes at Ascot and is ridden by Frankie Dettori. Mike de Kock from South Africa who is a big force here has Musir and Golden Sword in the race.

In the $5million Sheema Classic Brian Meehan runs Dangerous Midge, Barry Hills has Redwood and Franke Dettori is riding Rewilding.

Other British interest is in the $500,000 Dubai Duty Free over 1900m or 1m1f includes Luca Cumani’s Presvis, Michael Bell’s Wigmore Hall and Tazeez for John Gosden.

JJ the Jet Plane seen at Royal Ascot last year should win the Group 2 Al Quoz Sprint back on his favoured grass surface after an unsuccessful trial on the Tapeta AW surface.  Red Clubs will go close for Barry Hills in the Godolphin Mile and Premio Loco should give Chris Wall a thrill as well in this mile contest.

There are bound to be plenty of celebrities around the course. We have already seen Lee Westwood, Harry Redknapp, Carlton Palmer and Jermaine Jackson amongst the celebrities at the Carnival and Joey Barton has owned a winner. It should be a cracking night and lets hope Twice Over wins it for the brits.

Rupert Bell will be live at the track tomorrow night commentating on the big race for Talk Sport so do not miss it.