Dubai World Cup Night Preview 2015

Golden Harp - Japanese superstar Harp Star can win the Sheema Classic.

It’s hard to believe that Cheltenham was only just over two short weeks ago but the greatest show on turf is going to feel like even more of a distant memory this weekend as the flat returns in earnest.

Around this time of year I always like to put up a few selections for a great day of racing at Meydan as the world’s richest race takes centre stage.

This year’s World Cup though does little for me in terms of punting because the horse I really want to back California Chrome is extremely short in the betting now.

Having landed a nice touch on ‘the people’s horse’ in the Kentucky Derby last year I became a fully fledged ‘Chromie’ and in spite of all the controversy that followed I remain firmly in that camp and would love nothing more than to see him win the Dubai World Cup.

Breeders' Cup Preview

Believe in Belief - Shared Belief can win the Breeders' Cup Classic

With the loss of some big names, this year’s Breeders’ Cup has encountered similar problems to Ascot’s own Champions’ Day, however much like with that event we still look set for an incredible weekend of racing.

Time has conspired against me somewhat this week preventing me from going quite as in depth as I would like on every race – I did however get Mile and Juvenile previews up last week which you can view by clicking the respective links – so I’ll simply have to put up my fancies for the weekend and try to explain why I’ve backed them.

Starting on the Friday, and first up we have the Dirt Mile and Goldencents. Last year’s winner is my idea of the weekend’s banker and providing he can get out and get on to the lead from his draw in one then he should take some stopping once again.

His form this season might not look all that on paper but that doesn’t tell the whole story and he’s been running some mighty figures in defeat with legitimate excuses when coming up short.

Forget the controversy surrounding his trainer, it is essentially just a name change and nothing else, Goldencents can become yet another horse to back up at the Breeders’ Cup, and though not all out disastrous it will be a disappointing start to the weekend if he’s beaten.