It's the big lead up race to Dubai World Cup night and there is a star-studded program and the promise of some great racing.
There is a purebred Arabians race to start with and then it's on to the Al Bastakiya, a listed race over 1700m on the Tapeta for 3yos, and a lead to the UAE Derby.
Godolphin's Counterglow is favoured in the UK on 7/2, with Kinglet and Mickdaam both on 4/1, the former having just got the better of the latter at their last meeting. We are prepared to give Cash Luck from Singapore at 6/1 the nod here, and cannot understand how Mary Fildes, second to Falls of Lora at her last outing is 25/1 here -most worthy of a bit of each way.
The Mahb Al Shimaal is G3 over 1200m with the UK firms liking the South African speedster August Rush, having his first start for Herman Brown. We prefer Hitchens who has a win and a second so far this season on this track, Addictive Dream at 5/1 and Dark Matter, should be be back to his best, value at 12/1.
The Meydan Sprint is over 1000m on the turf and here David Murnane's Nocturnal Affair holds the call at 9/2. Monsieur Joe is 6/1 and on 7/1 you can find Inxile, Prohibit and one of our favourites Margot Did with Hayley Turner riding.
The Burj Naheer is G3 with Musir favoured to win this race won last year by Mendip. Gitano Hernando, another of our favourite horses and winner of the Singapore International last year, returns and is at 11/2 and we don't mind the stablemate Dux Scholar on 7/1. African Story has done little wrong and is on 6/1.
The City of Gold G2 is over 2400m on turf and Viscount Nelson is expected to redeem himself here at 11/2 in what is probably the most open race of the night. Stablemate Zanzamar is on 6/1, Shimraan and Indian Days 7/1, and we thought Mikhail Glinka's last run was quite good so 14/1 is value.
The Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 is G1 over 2000m on the Tapeta. Prince Bishop is on 9/2, Mendip 6/1, Green Destiny 5/1, but we are going for Bold Silvano who needed longer last time on his return after a length lay-off - he's 8/1.
The Jebel Hatta G1 is over 1700m and Rio de la Plata is on 4/1 but we prefer Presvis at 9/2, with Mutahadee on 6/1, then Wigmore Hall, Dubawi Gold and Master of Hounds are all on 7/1 and you can make claims for all of them.
