/ Timeform / 25 March 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Meydan is the venue for the Dubai World Cup
"Twice Over is a worthy favourite but he is worth opposing with Golden Sword who has really taken off at Meydan this year and could still have more to offer."
Timeform take you through the field for the world's most valuable horserace...
Fly Down is a regular in the top events in America, but his only victories last year came in an allowance race and a Grade 2. He was a good third to Blame in the Breeders' Cup Classic but was a touch disappointing last time.
Monterosso was really progressive for Mark Johnston last year, winning five times in total, and carried that on when taking the Dubai City of Gold last time. He faces a much stiffer task down in trip now.
Prince Bishop was lightly raced in France for Andre Fabre, but really improved in the second half of last season, winning his last four starts. He was put in his place by Twice Over last time though and is unlikely to be good enough.
Cape Blanco was one of the best three-year-olds in training last year, winning the Irish Derby and Irish Champion, posting his best effort when slamming Rip Van Winkle in the latter. He was well held in the Arc on his final outings last season, but still commands respect.
Gio Ponti was only once out of the first two last year, and that came when fourth in this corresponding event. He was as good as ever when second to Goldikova last time and is very much respected.
Victoire Pisa is closely matched with Buena Vista having beaten that one by a nose in a Group 1 in December. He did get first run on that occasion, however, and probably has his work cut out to confirm the form.
Musir was a Grade 1 winner in South Africa and won all three of his starts with authority at Meydan last year, including the UAE Derby. He has finished runner-up both starts this year, including behind Twice Over.
Gitano Hernando progressed well in 2009, and proved just as good last year in winning a couple of races at Lingfield and Dundalk. He has not been in top form this time around, and this a better renewal than the one in which he finished sixth last year.
Transcend has a good strike rate and can list the Japan Cup Dirt among his wins last year. He made all for a winning reappearance in another Group 1 but will need to improve again to take this.
Poet's Voice was much improved towards the end of last season, winning the Celebration Mile at Goodwood and the QEII at Ascot. He is settling much better now he is held up but still has stamina concerns at this trip.
Richard's Kid failed to make an impact in the Dubai World Cup last year, but did win twice in US afterwards, the form of his latest win working out well. He left Bob Baffert prior to running poorly here on his reappearance.
Twice Over was better than ever last year, winning the Eclipse at Sandown and Champion Stakes (for second successive year) at Newmarket. He won impressively at Meydan on his return and is a worthy favourite for this.
Buena Vista is yet to finish out of the first three throughout her career, including when second in the Sheema Classic last year. She was first past the post in the Japan Cup after and looks a leading candidate.
Golden Sword was a very smart three-year-old for Aidan O'Brien, and has got back to that sort of form when winning his last two at Meydan with plenty in hand. New tactics (held up) seem the key to his revival and he must have every chance.
Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Golden Sword
2. Buena Vista
3. Twice Over
Timeform View: A high-quality renewal of the world's richest race and it looks far more open than the betting would indicate. Twice Over is a worthy favourite but he is worth opposing with Golden Sword who has really taken off at Meydan this year and could still have more to offer. Buena Vista makes plenty of each-way appeal given her record of never finishing out of the first three.
Click here to download a FREE Timeform race card for Meydan on Saturday.
Whilst the Dubai World Cup rightly takes centre stage as being the most prestigious race at Meydan on Saturday, the supporting races ain't half bad either and Stephen Molyneux casts his eye over them......
There are two plays and a lay in America for the Timeform team this evening......
The world's richest photo took place 12 months ago, Gloria de Campeao's nose earning him the lion's share of $10,000,000, and it will come as no surprise were we to see another close finish in this year's Dubai World Cup such is the quality on show. Stephen Molyneux tries to identify some value against worthy favourite Twice Over....
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