The Dubai Carnival reaches its crescendo on Saturday, as Meydan hosts the Dubai World Cup. That race is among five Group 1s on the card and GG’s expert editor has a selection in each, alongside an excellent offer from William Hill, who are offering Bet £10 – Get 30 In Free Bets to new customers.
MAN OF PROMISE (1:35 Al Quoz Sprint) 1/8
There’s useful European Group 1 form on the table in the Al Quoz Sprint, but the impression left by MAN OF PROMISE last time out was of a remarkably improved and top-class individual.
All of A Case Of You, Creative Force and Emaraaty Ana won at the highest tier last season, but the all blue of Godolphin will be carried by this five-year-old. He was only eighth in the race last year after a handicap success in February and had been kept off the track for another Dubai campaign thereafter.
He returned with a cosy Listed win in January, but was sensational last time out in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint. He simply blitzed past the leaders in the last two furlongs, winning by the best part of five lengths.
A Case Of You was second that day, which highlights how strong the form is and he can go on to claim a first Group 1 success providing he is in anything like the same shape.
EASTERN WORLD (2:45 Dubai Golden Shaheen) 16/1
Dr Schivel may need only to recapture his form leading up to the Breeders Cup to be able to capture this prize on his first trip to Dubai.
However, that would be no mean feat and he was surprisingly lifeless last time out at Santa Anita. The rest of the field are not split by a lot and EASTERN WORLD makes most appeal.
He was winning for the first time on dirt last time out, but it coincided with a dramatic step back in trip to 6f. Including his days with Charlie Appleby, he had never run over a trip so short and that effort was 10lb above his previous career best on RPRs.
However, he is taken to prove that was no fluke, as he won with enough in hand to suggest otherwise. His draw is not ideal, but if Ray Dawson can get him across into a decent position, then he should outrun his price at least.
COLONEL LIAM (3:20 Dubai Turf) 10/1
Japan’s key raider, Schnell Meister should be well suited by this extra furlong, having finished off very well over a mile the last twice.
However, there’s no guaranteeing his form is strong enough to make hum such a short price here. Defending champion Lord North was also disappointing on return and it may be worth looking to America for the hero this time around.
COLONEL LIAM is generally very tough to beat in the States, winning seven of his ten starts, with three of those coming in Group 1s at this trip. He returned after 238 days off to win the Pegasus World Cup Turf in January.
His only defeats on turf have come to another triple Grade 1 winner in the very useful Domestic Spending, once in a bunched finish. He has the best part of three furlongs to get a decent pitch from stall 13 this time and is a proven performer at this grade, unlike a few of the more fancied runners.
PYLEDRIVER (3:55 Dubai Sheema Classic) 12/1
The globetrotting PYLEDRIVER can claim his second Group 1 in the Dubai Sheema Classic, after a string of great performances last season.
Godolphin’s Yibir did well to win the Breeders Cup Turf from well off the pace, but it is possible that tight-turning American tracks suit him best, as his two best performances came in that country. Meanwhile, Pylderiver has been versatile wherever he has gone.
He won the Coronation Cup at Epsom on Oaks day last season while he was only caught late on in the Hong Kong Vase, when Martin Dwyer kicked for home early up the straight. Had he been able to eyeball the winner Glory Vase, his determination may well have forced a closer result.
He was disappointing on his return in Saudi Arabia, but a number of factors conspired against him that day. Frankie Dettori’s booking is a positive and he can claim this among a competitive field.
LIFE IS GOOD (4:30 Dubai World Cup) 8/11
LIFE IS GOOD is arguably the best horse in the world right now and a plum draw in stall one should be ideal for him to land a Group 1 hat-trick.
Only the top class sprinter Jackie’s Warrior has ever defeated Todd Pletcher’s charge, that coming over 7f. However, since returned to a mile, and since beyond, Life Is Good has looked unbeatable.
He destroyed his opposition virtually on the bridle, in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile, while Breeders Cup Classic victor Knicks Go was left trailing in his wake in the Pegasus World Cup over 1m1f most recently. His pace from the outset is simply too much to live with.
Irad Ortiz Jr will have to be a little careful in judging the pace over this slightly longer distance, but he will be riding a horse with a supreme engine.
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