Great to see some familiar names among the runners at the new Meydan racecourse in Dubai. With fantastic prize money on offer, it’s little wonder that some of the top trainers are targeting horses at the meeting and on Thursday night (Feb 4^th) one time Derby favourite Crowded House will be taking on former Irish Derby winner Frozen Fire, formerly trained by Aidan O’Brien but now trained by South African Mike De Kock, for whom he’ll be making his debut appearance.

But, interesting as some of the racing is, it is the new racecourse and grandstand that has grabbed the spotlight. Built at a cost of $2bn, a figure which makes the 210 million pounds Ascot spent on their showpiece grandstand seem like mere chickenfeed. There is no doubt that the facilities at Meydan will be absolutely world class but, coming at a time when the economy of Dubai has gone into meltdown, the project has attracted more than its share of controversy.

All the politicking will be set aside in a few weeks though as the course hosts the world’s first $10m race, the Dubai World Cup. It really is a stupendous prize and is certain to attract a top class field. Champion Stakes winner Twice Over, from Henry Cecil’s yard, will be the UK’s chief representative. He’s currently second favourite behind the US trained Gio Ponti, who finished just a length and a quarter ahead of Twice Over when the pair finished 2nd and 3rd behind star filly Zenyatta in the Breeders Cup Classic last November. What an achievement it would be for Cecil, who has fought back from one setback after another, if he could take the world’s richest ever prize.

With cold, wintry weather forecast, Doncaster will feel a world away from Dubai on Saturday. The Blue Square Handicap Chase (3.25) is the feature event and it looks a very competitive event.

There are plenty with chances and it’ll take a bit of winning. Top weight is Kalahari King, a horse who I’ve been eagerly waiting to see back in action. Last term he finished a close runner up to Forpadydeplasterer in the Arkle, before beating Tatenen at Aintree and then, best of all in hindsight, finishing a ten length runner up to Twist Magic in the bet365.com Celebration Chase at Sandown. Getting within ten lengths of Twist Magic at Sandown is no mean feat and it’ll be fascinating to see how Kalahari King fares here.

The problem for him is that, coming back from a long lay off in a race sure to be run at a fast pace, he may struggle for race sharpness. They won’t want to bottom him here, so near to Cheltenham, and I’d rather watch him this weekend than get involved financially.

Favourite Free World is likely to run well, as is another at the highly weighted end of the handicap, Fix The Rib. At the bottom of the handicap Nomechecki looks dangerous, unbeaten in the two chases he’s completed and unexposed.

However, my idea of the best bet in the race is TARTAK. Currently a 16/1 shot, Tartak looks a huge price for a horse who beat Deep Purple, Planet of Sound and Calgary Bay, all at level weights, last April at Aintree. Since then he’s failed to win in four starts but ran a much better race last time in the King George than his 7^th place finish might indicate. Kauto Star dominated the race and when you consider that Tartak ran well for a long way and finished with horses like Albertas Run, Imperial Commander and Our Vic around him it wasn’t such a bad display. A display, I think, that entitles him to be shorter than 16/1 for this.

The distance may be on the short side but he ran well enough in the Arkle last year over a similar trip and, with conditions very likely to be testing on Saturday, he’ll do for me.

Down at Sandown the Toteswinger Challengers Novices’ Chase (formerly known as the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase) will be a must-watch if Nicky Henderson’s exciting novice LONG RUN appears. Touted by some respected judges, including Tom Segal who writes the Pricewise column in the Racing Post, as one of the best novices we’ve seen for many years, it’s likely to be no more than a good blowout for him and, at the likely odds, he’s unlikely to be a betting proposition but it’ll be fascinating to see how he gets on.

Also at Sandown,in the 3.10, the Totescoop6 Heroes Handicap Hurdle, the weights may have a lop-sided look if the perennial Saturday runner Lough Derg takes part. Alan King, whose stable are now hitting top form, can take advantage with TRENCHANT, who’ll be one of a handful in the handicap proper.

Finally, up at Wetherby, another yard in form can take the 2.20, the Totesportcasino.com handicap Chase. BATTLECRY, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, has some great form a couple of years back. He’s gradually slid down the handicap of late but showed a little bit of his old spark last time and, with the stable firing, is worth taking a chance with here.

Selections Summary

All Saturday 6^th February

Wetherby 2.20 Battlecry

Sandown 3.10 Trenchant

Doncaster 3.25 Tartak

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