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The second biggest race of the night in Dubai, at least pursewise, is the Sheema Classic on the turf. Lining up for another preview is international racing aficionado Davy Lane, @loscharruas . ---------------------- Dubai Sheema Classic presented by Longines Group 1, US$6,000,000 Turf, 2410m 2020 local, 1620 GMT, 0320 AEDT This is a two-horse race. The rest are in town for the place money or for diplomatic reasons. Postponed was aimed at this race the day after it was clear he could not compete at last’s Arc. Duramente may be the better horse, but one suspects Postponed has been more finely tuned for this race. In every ante post multiple I have placed I have chosen to alternate between the two. It promises to be a duel. I cannot split them, so the reverse forecast is the logical bet advice. The Race for Third I am not convinced Highland Reel is fully wound up for this race. The Irish are not afraid to pick up decent place money and move on. It’s hard to bet again...

Next up on Meydan previews is the Golden Shaheen, the G1 sprint for dirt racers. Once again with the preview, it's international racing guru Davy Lane, @loscharruas . -------------------------------- Golden Shaheen Group 1, US$2,000,000 Dirt, 1200m 1845 local, 1445 GMT, 0145 AEDT Ten go to post in the Golden Shaheen. XY Jet has been a winning machine at Gulfstream Park. Super Jockey, second in the race last year and ridden by the João “Magic Man” Moreira, returns with a shot. As does, Rich Tapestry, third last year, with the seasoned Gerard Mosse aboard. The Maktoum brothers are each throwing respectable speed into the mix. The market suggests it is a one horse race. And it promises to be so for at least four or five furlongs. Can anyone catch XY Jet? I 'bet the farm' on the Florida beast a few weeks ago. His latest win over 6.5 furlongs has only cemented my conviction. XY Jet has been portrayed as an obscure Florida-bred, winning Grade 3 and Conditi...

The blockbuster card at Dubai concludes with the big shebang, the $10m Dubai World Cup. With the return to the dirt surface last year, organisers have got their wish - a star-studded batch of American horses, joined by a bunch of other internationals, few of whom have ever run on the surface. Taking up the challenge is Calum Law, representing @EIBloodstock . ------------------------------- Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline Group 1, US$10,000,000 Dirt, 2000m 2100 local, 1700 GMT, 0400 AEDT California Chrome - 2014 KY Derby and Preakness hero who was second behind surprise winner Prince Bishop in this contest last year. He has had a different preparation this time around and has been given time to acclimatise to Dubai, taking in a prep race in the process when giving 7kgs and a beating to a field of local handicappers four weeks ago. That is a big positive for his chances here and he is an obvious chance. Candy Boy - Sixth placer in the 2014 Breeders Cup Classic b...

World Cup Day in Dubai is one of the world's great race meetings. With an obscene amount of money on offer and some of the finest horseflesh, trainers and jockeys in the world present, it's got to be followed. Previewing the big staying race of the day is regular international racing contributor, Davy Lane, @loscharruas . ------------------------------ Dubai Gold Cup Group 2, US$1,000,000 Turf, 3200m 1655 local, 1255 GMT, 0055 Sun AEDT The defection of Sheikhzayedroad in the pursuit of fourth or fifth place prize money in the Sheema Classic means only 11 go to post, four fewer than each of the last two renewals of the race. This is an easier race to find the winner than in years past. In Sheikhzayedroad’s defence, the Aga Khan’s Vazirabad had been a strong and worthy ante-post favourite and probably one best avoided. The connections of Sheikhzayedroad had not, however, counted on the four year old colt being denied a window seat on the flight from Paris. Vaziraba...

The racing highlight (perhaps not the PR one this year thanks to Ms Pendleton) of the final day is always the Gold Cup, this time sponsored by super bookmaker ...no, big brewery ...no, major international brand ....no, it's a b2b telco nobody's ever heard of but the owner has a few horses so he's happy to put his name it - Timico. Good luck to them, I hope it's more than just a stop-gap measure while the Authorised Betting Partner saga continues. Making his second appearance on the blog this week to cover the blue riband classic of the chasing circuit is Paddy Savage, @paddysav . ---------------------------- Timico Gold Cup Grade 1, £575,000, 3m2f70y, New Course 1530 local, 0230 AEDT "And this is the race now to the last fence. It's Arkle on the stand side for Ireland and Mill House for England on the far side." "As they come to the line, she's made it. Dawn Run has won it" "He's beginning to get up, Desert Orchid is begin...

Festival Thursday - always the day which annoys the traditionalists. Does it dilute the quality of the meeting? You can certainly argue that case with the Gold Cup favourite changing target in favour to this race, not to mention the budget rather than blue-chip nature of this sponsor! To serve it up to those making the decisions with little regard for the punting public, it's over to regular blog contributor Jon da Silva, @creamontop . --------------------------- Ryanair Chase Grade 1, £300,000, almost 2m5f New Course 1450 local Vautour owner Rich Ricci may be a genius as he just leaves it to Willie and Ruby and lets them set their priorities much as he and Bob Diamond claimed to run a bank - shocked, shocked to hear of wrong doing they were. Whereas say Gigginstown and Wylie and Potts may insist Willie do what they say. The most credible reason for Vautour's switch seems with Wylie insisting Felix Yonger run in the Queen Mother Ruby did not have a ride in this and lo. T...

The liver might be considerably well lubricated, the head might be thumping and the wallet might be significantly lighter, but we're only halfway through the Cheltenham Festival - it's time to get back on the horse and out there again for Day Three! Making his blog debut to cover the longest championship event over the minor obstacles, it's Paddy Savage, @PaddySav . ------------------------- Ryanair World Hurdle Grade 1, £300k, Three Miles (+/- 10 yds) 1530 local time Ted Walsh may have been correct that "nobody ever bred a horse to win a World Hurdle" but that detracts little from the glory to be bestowed upon winners of this championship race. Maligned though it may occasionally be, the Day 3 feature has been responsible for many of the great Cheltenham memories in recent times, whether they be the scenes of joy which greeted Warren Greatex's first Cheltenham festival winner last term or the drama which unfolded as Big Buck's denied an inspired...

The Festival rolls on and one of the more intriguing contests is the RSA Chase. It only just qualifies for a three-place each-way race, but it's not clear cut at the top and cases can be made for several others. After just missing on the each-way on yesterday's tip, Dave Stephens, @davestevos returns.... --------------------- RSA Chase Grade 1, £150k, 3m 1/2f Old Course 1410 local The feature race on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival is the Champion Chase, but the RSA Chase is another cracking Grade 1 contest and although only eight will go to post it still looks an exceedingly tricky puzzle to solve. No trainer has dominated this race since Paul Nicholls won it for two years in a row back in 2006/7, and last year saw Willie Mullins claim the prize with this season's big Gold Cup hope Don Poli. Don Poli was the first favourite to oblige since 2008 and there has been a fair few double figure priced winners in that period. Jonjo O'Neill and Gordon Elliot...

Await the Roar! Day one of Cheltenham is just hours away and it traditionally opens with the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. It's been a Willie Mullins benefit in recent years, will bookmakers cop another early battering with a superb Irish novice hurdler at the top of the market? David Stephens returns to the blog with his sharp assessment of the opening race of the Festival, you can follow him on Twitter @DaveStevos ------------------------- SKY BET SUPREME NOVICES´ HURDLE Grade 1, £120,000, 2m 87y, Old Course 1330 local 0030 AEDT With just a day to go until National Hunt Racing's showpiece meeting gets underway the excitement and anticipation is almost at fever pitch. All the tension and nerves will be released with an almighty roar when the runners in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle come under starter's orders at 1.30 on Tuesday afternoon, and it looks to be an intriguing race. The opener sees the first of a raft of Willie Mullins' hotpots in Min taking his ch...

Sydney gets in on the act of big autumn racing this week as we move closer to the Golden Slipper and The Championships. Making his first appearance on the blog is Sydney racing aficionado, Liam Power, @laz3liam . -------------------------- Coolmore Classic Rosehill G1, AU$600,000, 1500m. 1610 local, 0510 GMT Group 1 racing returns to Rosehill for the first time since the Golden Rose in September as the Fillies and Mares do battle in the time-honoured Coolmore Classic. With hot weather and windy conditions expected in Western Sydney on Saturday, we are likely to be racing on a Good 3 surface. The rail will be in the True position, meaning horses situated two or three of the fence should be best suited. Former Winners and SP 2015: Plucky Belle - $16 2014: Steps in Time - $8 2013: Appearance - $11 2012: Ofcourseican - $13 2011: Aloha - $6 2010: Alverta - $17 2009: Typhoon Tracy - $4.75 2008: Eskimo Queen - $21 2007: Tuesday Joy - $7.5 2006: Regal Cheer - $9 By taki...

An outstanding Australian Guineas in store this weekend at headquarters, with a high class group of Victorian 3yos topped off by a former WA filly and a highly-rated NZ raider seeking to break the Kiwi hoodoo in this race. Making his debut on the blog is avid Aussie racing enthusiast, Darryl Frenc. You can read more of his work on his site, Winning Punter . ------------------------------------- Australian Guineas Flemington R7 1630 local Group 1, 1600m, 3yo $750,000 Speed Map Before we talk about the speed map it's important to note how the track will play, which is to be honest I have no idea. Last time out it's been Grandstand side and by Race 7 who knows where they will be. Lately the tracks have been drying up from the heat and becoming rock hard where they haven't been aerated or watered and we are seeing fast lanes usually from the middle to the outside of the track. Rail stays in the true from last time and let's hope we have a fair track although I a...