1:50 UAE Derby 1m 1½f

Both Henry Adams and Navy Seal have US Triple Crown entries so it will be fascinating how they get on with Ballydoyle seemingly looking more towards the US with their top horses and no outstanding three-year-old appearing to date in the US.

Japan have won the last two runnings and the unbeaten Forever Young as a solid favourite on the way to a shot at the Kentucky Derby. US runner, Pandagate, a Christophe Clement-trained son of World Cup winner Arrogate is the other to note off his last start Aqueduct win while the surprise UAE 2000 Guineas winner Mendelssohn Bay should not be dismissed.

SELECTION: Henry Adams Next Best: Forever Young

3:10 Dubai Turf Sponsored By DP World (3yo+) 1m 1f

Luxembourg ran better than a fourth place would indicate in the Saudi Turf Cup in Riyadh, when headed just 150 yards out, though this is a tougher contest. From stall three, he should get a good early position.

Nashwa rarely ran a bad race in her seven outings last season finishing a half-length behind Luxembourg at Leopardstown under a less positive ride. Her 16 of 16 drawn may be a problem though as Hollie Doyle will need cover and get a run through. It also took her a few runs to hit top from last season.

Lord North goes for four in a row but it’s hard to see him involved in what looks a strong race.

Japan’s Do Deuce is the big danger as he boosts form of the highest calibre in Japan while compatriot Namur could get in the placings.

SELECTION: Do Duece Next Best: Luxembourg

4:00 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (3yo+) 1m 4f

A fascinating east meets west contest with dual Derby and Breeders’ Cup winner Auguste Rodin taking on four from Japan including two top class fillies in Stars On Earth and Liberty Island. He beat the Americans in their own backyard but this is tougher.

Auguste Rodin has drawn seven and Liberty Island nine, with 10 Group 1 winners from eight nations seeking a $6-million pot.

The now four-year-old filly Liberty Island, the Japanese Triple Tiara winner, met her only defeat when the then three-year-old was plunged in the deep end in the 18-runner Japan Cup and lost little in going down by four lengths to the outstanding Equinox.

Stars On Earth failed to win on her five outings last year but her last three Group 1 defeats are still top form and a win earlier for Do Deuce who beat her half a length in the Arima Kinen in December, in the Turf, would be a boost here. With the Japanese usually targeting this race with fully prepared challengers – they may have the upper hand over Europeans.

Emily Upjohn has been absent since flopping in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes last July and it would be some feat to land this off that break though she won first time out last two seasons and her Coronation Cup win is top form.

Rebel’s Romance is also a Breeders’ Cup winner and his season didn’t go to plan last year after an unfortunate fall in Belmont. Richard Fahey’s Spirit Dancer won well in Riyadh’s Howden Neom Turf Cup but this is higher class. Andre Fabre’s Hong Kong winner is another not to be dismissed lightly.

SELECTION: Liberty Island Next Best: Auguste Rodin

4:35 Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline (3yo+) 1m2f

Twelve of the world’s top middle-distance dirt horses clash in the $12-million Grade 1 Dubai World Cup.

Ushba Tesoro will look to join Thunder Snow as the only dual winners of the World Cup.

American challenger Senor Buscador ran down Ushba Tesoro in the final strides of the Group 1 Saudi Cup in Riyadh five weeks ago, and the two square off for the third time at the weekend. The likeable six-year-old was building on his narrow defeat in the Pegasus World Cup.

Wilson Tesoro was second to Ushba Tesoro in the Group 1 Tokyo Daishoten over the World Cup distance in December.

Last year’s UAE Derby winner Derma Sotogake was at a fitness disadvantage when only fifth in Riyadh off a four-month absence and should come on for that reappearance.

The Kazakh-owned Kabirkhan looks to complete a fairytale season while trying to emulate his World Cup-winning sire California Chrome. The chesnut is partnered by Pat Dobbs for trainer Doug Watson.

Trainer Bob Baffert and Frankie Dettori took the 2022 World Cup with Country Grammer and will look for history to repeat itself with Newgate who comes off a victory in the Grade I Santa Anita Handicap but he needs to step up on that.

Juddmonte Farms’ Laurel River is drawn widest and he kicked clear early in winning the Burj Nahaar over a mile on Super Saturday.

SELECTION: Ushba Tesoro Next Best: Senor Buscador

Swing Vote, third in a Meydan Group 3 at the beginning of the month represents Simon and Ed Crisford and could seek a place.

European runners dominate the Dubai Gold Cup (12.40pm) over two miles with dual St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov taking on Aidan O’Brien’s progressive stayer Tower Of London, an impressive winner of a Group 3 handicap in Riyadh to begin his season. The son of Galileo had been fourth in the Doncaster St Leger to Continuous. Eldar Eldarov won a poor version of the Irish St Leger though connections were boosted by stable companion Charyn’s win last weekend.

Godolphin’s six-year-old Siskany has two Meydan wins this season to his name but at a lower level.

Trawlerman toughed out last season’s British Champions Long Distance Cup and looks the better of the two Godolphin runners. Tower Of London can prevail on the way to a good season.

Hong Kong’s star California Spangle will start from gate five in the six-furlong turf Al Quoz Sprint against the smart three-year-old filly Frost At Dawn (drawn 1), the veteran recent Doha winner Emaraaty Ana and defending champion Danyah. Charlie Appleby runs the three-year-old filly Star Of Mystery who met surprise defeat to Frost At Dawn last time, while US challenger Casa Creed had been here before and had good US from last season. From stall five, California Spangle can go all the way.

In the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen over six on the dirt, Sibelius, winner in 2023 for trainer Jerry O’Dwyer, returns under Ryan Moore and in good form off two wins.

Other American invaders with support are Bold Journey, (Bill Mott and Frankie Dettori) who finished third in the Grade 3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia in February and Hopkins, fourth in last year’s Golden Shaheen (Bob Baffert).