Royal Delta to make amends to win Dubai World Cup at second attempt
Published:Dubai World Cup night is sure to be a magical event for spectators and punters have their work cut out trying to find some winners on the card.
We believe Royal Delta can win the big one, but it is Shea Shea and Gentildonna that look among the biggest certainties for victory.
See all our race previews below.
13:10 Godolphin Mile – Surfer
Soft Falling Rain is clear favourite at 3/1, but although unbeaten thus far and with two victories at Meydan to his name, the quality of this form is debateable and he is worth opposing at the prices.
Surfer has chased home Dubai Gold Cup favourite Hunter’s Light on his last two starts and is interesting at 10/1 now dropped back in trip.
13:45 Dubai Gold Cup – Tenenbaum
The decision to step Imperial Monarch up to 2m for the first time is of interest, but given the fact that stamina needs to be taken on trust, he is hard to back as the favourite.
Tenenbaum was given too much to do on his debut for Godolphin after arriving from the Andre Fabre yard and if ridden slightly closer, he is certainly worth each-way consideration at 6/1.
14:25 UAE Derby – Lines Of Battle
Secret Number is capable of winning this, but his penchant for a bad start could be his undoing in this level of competition.
Lines Of Battle looked the sort last season that might relish conditions in Dubai and with vibes suggesting he has been working well ahead of the UAE Derby, he has appeal at 7/1.
15:05 Al Quoz Sprint – Shea Shea
Shea Shea is a particularly short-priced favourite at 5/4, but was only pushed out to win over course and distance last time and still posted a faster time than what was needed to win this race 12 months ago.
15:45 Dubai Golden Shaheen – Gordon Lord Byron
Krypton Factor returns to defend his title from last year, but will have his work cut out to reverse form with Reynaldothewizard over course and distance earlier this month, let alone beat the other opposition.
Gordon Lord Byron at 4/1 must benefit from what was virtually a canter at Dundalk last time and can add to a Group One success at Longchamp late last year.
16:40 Dubai Duty Free – The Apache
The jockey booking of Gary Stevens on board Little Mike could be significant, although no US horse has ever won on grass at a Dubai World Cup meeting.
Trade Storm is favourite, but looks too short to back, so at the prices preference is for The Apache at 10/1, if Christophe Soumillion doesn’t go for home too early like he may have last time when caught late on.
17:20 Dubai Sheema Classic – Gentildonna
Gentildonna is unbeaten in five starts and is hard to oppose at 6/4 to win here, although punters are warned that a romp is unlikely given that she doesn’t seem to like winning by much more than a nose.
Assuming they go a good gallop from the stalls, former Aidan O’Brien horse Await The Dawn should enter each-way calculations at 12/1.
18:05 Dubai World Cup – Royal Delta
Royal Delta may have flopped in this race last year, but that was more to do with interference in running than failing to adapt to the tapeta surface.
The dual Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic winner is well-priced at 4/1 to land the world’s richest horse race, with former Epsom Derby runner-up Treasure Beach one to watch at 20/1 for a place.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
