Meydan World Cup Meeting

 Always an incredibly difficult event, because trying to cross reference formlines including from the home team, from Japan, the USA and Europe, is a real test of anyone's skills.

Last year the home defence was thoroughly eclipsed, with only Switzerland, for the Seemar team, winning. Japan took five races, (including a dead heat with John Gosden's Lord North), Ado McGuinness's globetrotter A Case of You was the Irish scorerand Country Grammer took the World Cup for the US.

The Japanese have a strong hand again, to put it mildly, with 27 entries including eight in the World Cup finale. 

Look out for enhanced place terms as we get nearer to racetime.

As this was penned and published, on Wednesday and Thursday, prices may have changed significantly nearer race time!

I've not previewed the Arab race due to, I confess, my ignorance, but late word from the street suggests Barrakka from stall four could outrun 14/1

GODOLPHIN MILE: This went to BATHRAT LEON last year in what was a huge shock - at the time, at 66/1. This year the horse arrives on the back of a Group Three win in Riyadh and at 5/2 the bookies are taking no chances. The inside draws though have mostly held sway this season on the dirt, so while 8 is not a disaster by any means, (stall one last year) at the price it might pay to look elsewhere. PRINCE EIJI and DISCOVERY ISLAND arrive here on the back of solid wins, the former has had this as a stated target for a while, but again both will have to overcome wide boxes, but while both make the shortlist, the vote goes to ISOLATE (ew around 7/1).  Has done nothing wrong in filling runners up spots behind Tuz and Sound Money this Carnival and Doug Watson's charge just looked to lack a turn of foot at 6F so it may be this mile from stall two will prove ideal. DESERT WISDOM (ew 25/1) was second in this last year and at a big price could be one for ew backers.

DUBAI GOLD CUP: A two miler, highest rated is SUBJECTIVIST, who has a poor run last time and stall 15 of 15 to overcome, which might prove too tough, but this is a race full of questions. SISKANY is probably the percentage call, but ARDAKAN might be better suited up in trip and could turn the tables, while the lightly raced ENEMY (ew 12/1) catches the eye. A course winner and stays all day, should run into the frame but not one of my stronger betting contests.

AL QUOZ: On the turf again, and this 6F course has suited high draws all season. Despite that the 3yo AL DASIM overcame a modest draw last time when tacking across and sprinting away from a bunch of older rivals, again impressing on the clock. From eight this time is obviously the one to beat, particularly with main market rival AL SUHAIL drawn two. Maybe the biggest threat will be SIGHT SUCCESS for Japan, well drawn and with six wins at the trip, Ryan Moore taking the ride and speed to burn, However the vote goes to the favourite, AL DASIM (5/2).

UAE DERBY: The turn of the 3yos. I think there are better betting races and simply don't have a strong view. GO SOLDIER GO got up close home to land the Al Bastakiya on Super Saturday and should run a big race again. CAIRO represents Aidan O'Brien and had his prep at Dundalk, with a facile win, but he really doesn't have a dirt pedigree. ES-UNICO is an October foal so has to give the others 10lbs, but this longer trip might allow his strength to bring improvement. I'll take a flier with the unexposed and stoutly bred PERRIERE (ew 20/1)for Japan, only three starts but two wins, and Oisin Murphy is an interesting booking. But minimum stakes for me and a small ew poke at the current 20/1. 

GOLDEN SHAHEEN: SOUND MONEY was a taking winner on Super Saturday, cosily brushing aside Isolate by almost 3 lengths, and is lightly raced. Should run a big race and if you can get a double figure price, can reward each way support despite stall 11. SWITZERLAND should be primed from stall two for a bold repeat bid after last year, but LEMON POP (NAP 4/1), gets the NAP selection. The Japanese challenger should be able to track Switzerland and travels beautifully at 7F. This 6F should prove no problem and the career record of 8 wins, including a Group One last time, and three seconds can be added to here. His sire, Lemon Drop Kid, is a former winner here. GUNITE has a wide draw to overcome.

DUBAI TURF: LORD NORTH bids to make it three wins in this race (dead heated last year with Panthalassa from Japan who runs in the World Cup later on this card)  after scoring comfortably in the Lingfield Derby last time out, but marginal preference is for REAL WORLD (ew 12/1). Second to Baeed at Newbury and again at Ascot, sets an enviable form standard and I think the bookies are taking a risk with the price. Did disappoint behind AL FAREEQ, who runs here, on Super Saturday, hence the price, but hopefully this is the target and we will see this horse back to his best. SERIFOS stays the trip well. Edit: Do Deuce a non-runner.

SHEEMA CLASSIC: Looks a good opportunity for REBEL'S ROMANCE (NB ew 13/2). Ended last season with three Group One wins including at Keeneland and sets a very high bar. SHAHRYAR won this last year and merits respect, while WESTOVER bolted up in the Irish Derby after running third in the Derby itself. So this looks a stronger contest than last year and these look the ones for the shortlist, though EQUINOX is a multiple Group One winner in Japan, and deserves his place at the head of the market. Undoubtedly the gallops watchers' buzz horse of the week and it would be brave to omit from serious calculations here.

WORLD CUP: The draw set conspiracy theorists into overdrive as the three shortest horses in the betting, ALGIERS, PANTHALASSA and last year's winner COUNTRY GRAMMER drawing the three widest stalls in the 15 strong field. It throws the race into absolute confusion. I'd expect SALUTE THE SOLDIER to lead and wouldn't be the first horse to make all in this race over the years, but I can't see him holding on. It may be he will be taken on by a couple of the Japanese contingent too, but that could bring in the closers, and I'll go for ALGIERS (7/2) to overcome the draw. Has looked a dirt monster in his two wins this season, absolutely mincing his fields, and he is the class horse for me with the course experience. A race to enjoy though rather than have big stakes on.

GOOD LUCK ALL, I hope there's something decent in there but it's as hard a card as I can recall for this meeting. 

As markets firm up I'll put more detail on the bets above.

 Meantime if you're looking for an EXOTIC BET you could try last year's winners in ew combinations. Bathrat Leon, Crown Pride, Switzerland, Lord North, Panthalassa, Shahryar and Country Grammer for a bit of small stakes interest throughout the card. But note three of them run in the same race, the World Cup. Desert Wisdom filled the runners up spot in the Godolphin Mile and could be another for that list.