INTILAAQ (Dubai Turf) – his UK form is markedly better than what Tryster showed last year, he has trained really well in Newmarket, he is open to improvement, and Intilaaq should represent great value against the Godolphin favourite, who has been hyped up after two wins against lesser company at Meydan. Tryster has looked smart, but many of his rivals here would have won the same two races with little fuss.

KEEN ICE (World Cup) – after his promising run in the Donn Handicap, Keen Ice was seen as a live World Cup contender. Then, after a below par run at Meydan (on a day when the track absolutely favoured speed), suddenly he is 20-1 in the betting. It makes no sense. This is the one horse who managed to beat American Pharoah last year, he has a perfect post position, he has Ryan Moore on his back and he will run with blinkers (worked sharply with the headgear at Meydan). Perhaps he bombs out again, but he has the class to win, and at 20-1 he simply must be backed each-way.

MARKING (Godolphin Mile) – may not offer super value but he is the class act in this field and will be hard to beat. Don't worry about the step up to a mile. His trainer had him primed for the Cigar Mile last autumn, but chose instead to go for the Malibu at Ainta Anita (where Marking was second to champion US sprinter Runhappy) because he was not happy about the draw his horse got in the Cigar.

X Y JET (Golden Shaheen) – second best sprinter in the US, and much closer to Runhappy in ability than most people realise. Very sharp at Gulfstream Park this winter, and if he runs like he has done over 6 furlongs there, well, then this race is over.

BUFFERING EW AT 10-1 (AL QUOZ) and FLAMBOYANT EW AT 33-1 (DUBAI TURF)

MUARRAB 2.10 match bet to beat Confornation (Golden Shaheen) www.betus.com

CONFRONTATION TO WIN & FOR A PLACE (Golden Shaheen) – this horse has been rerouted to the main sprint from the Godolphin Mile, most probably because Godolphin wanted a representative in the Shaheen. It is hard to see him making an impact against X Y Jet, Muarrab, Rich Fantasy and Reynaldothewizard. They are all rated above him and, while he is a miler, they are expert sprinters.

MUBTAAHIJ FOR A PLACE (World Cup) – he was the best 3yo here last year but subsequently given a tough campaign in the US Triple Crown races, where he ran well without improving on his Dubai form. Mubtaahij, and his connections, spells 'high profile' but he has actually never been really top class. Last season may have taken its toll, and his two races here this year have been way below his best. He is no bigger than 16-1 but it is hard to see him making the frame in the big race.

GOLDREAM FOR A PLACE (Al Quoz Sprint) – winner to two G1 sprints over this distance in Europe last year, and may thus take a bit of betting action, but was very dull when unplaced in his prep run here at Meydan, where he has also looked anything but ready in his morning work. Trainer expresses doubts, and it is easy to see why.

SHEIKHZAYEDROAD FOR A PLACE (Sheema Classic) – has run well in this race before and won easily on his first outing here this season, but that was in a race he simply had to win and he meets much, much tougher rivals in the Sheema. Duramente, Highland Reel, Postponed, Last Impact, Dariyan and Gailo Chop all have more class, so let's bet that this Sheikh is one that will be on the outside looking in.

DUBAI GOLD CUP

10 TRIFECTAS

A: 1 with 8 with 2, 4, 5, 7, 11

B: 1 with 2, 4, 5, 7, 11 with 8

AL QUOZ SPRINT

126 TRIFECTAS

A: 6 with 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13 with 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13

B: 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13 with 6 with 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13

C: 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13 with 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13 with 6

DUBAI TURF

20 TRIFECTAS

A: 8 with 2, 6, 10, 11, 14 with 2, 6, 10, 11, 14

DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC

2 EXACTAS

A: 7 with 4, 8

6 TRIFECTAS

A: 7 with 4, 8 with 4, 8

B: 7 with 4, 8 with 1, 9

DUBAI WORLD CUP

30 TRIFECTAS

A: 9 with 1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 11 with 1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 11

R2: 2 MARKING

R3: 1 VAZIRABAD

R6: 3 X Y JET

R7: 8 INTILAAQ

R2: 2 MARKING

R3: 1 VAZIRABAD

R4: 2 POLAR RIVER (1 line)

R6: 3 X Y JET

R7: 2 TRYSTER, 8 INTILAAQ

R8: 7 POSTPONED (2 lines)

All bets based on dry weather.

Please double check numbers with racecard before placing bets.