Dubai World Cup Night Preview

Bold Showing - Giovanni Boldini can win the UAE Derby

The flat is definitely back in a big way this weekend and while the Lincoln will take centre stage on the domestic front at Doncaster on Saturday, internationally all eyes will be on Dubai for World Cup night at Meydan.

I don’t have a strong opinion this year on the world’s richest horse race, other than that I think last year’s Derby winner, and current favourite for the race Ruler Of The World looks vulnerable and that last year’s fourth Side Glance, the rank outsider of them all, could again outrun his price amidst reports of impressive work out on the course earlier today.

I do however have some stronger opinions on some of the races on the undercard.

Royal Ascot 2013 Preview - Day One

Royal Kingdom - American superstar can add a Royal win to his tally at Ascot

The flat racing season season’s premier festival takes place next week as thousands will descend upon Ascot for the glitz and glamour of the Royal meeting.

Last year’s Royal Ascot will be hard to live up to thanks to the exploits of Frankel and Black Caviar but Royal Ascot 2013 looks to have a great chance of proving equally as thrilling and exciting as twelve months ago.

Day one of the meeting is by far the best day in terms of the actual racing, with a staggering three consecutive Group 1 races to kick off the first day of the five day extravaganza followed by the Group 2 Coventry Stakes for two-year-olds.

With a dearth of top class racing, Tuesday definitely gets Royal Ascot off to a flying start, and here is a run down of the four Group races that will launch Royal Ascot 2013.

The Derby 2013 Preview

Battle of the Bolge - Can Jim Bolger & Dawn Approach repel the Coolmore ranks in the Derby?

It’s the most prestigious classic of the season on Saturday as Epsom plays host to The Derby.

With fifteen horses still in the reckoning to tackle the downs’ demanding camber and undulations as of this morning, the time seemed right to run the rule over the contenders, not all of whom are guaranteed to run as things stand.

So here in ascending order based on current price (starting with the favourite) is my runner-by-runner guide to this year’s Epsom Derby:

Dawn Approach – Unbeaten 2000 Guineas winner and heavy favourite. Has won seven from seven including three Group 1s and Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Unraced beyond 1m but sire won the Derby and looks like he should stay and handle unique demands of Epsom. Champion European two-year-old in 2012 and seems to improve with every run, dominant in 2000 Guineas and trained by a genius – the one to beat.