Dubai World Cup Carnival: All you need to know

Race 1 - 6.30pm Dubai Millennium Stakes (Group 3, purse $200,000 – 4yo+): Group 1 winner in Germany Ghaiyyath may have finished at the back of the pack in the Arc won by Waldgeist, but he undoubtedly has the class to win this. Spotify won this race 12 months ago and should go close as should Desert Encounter (pictured) who enjoyed a four-race winning streak late 2019, the last of which was in the Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine. GN Selection: 1. Ghaiyyath. 2. Desert Encounter.

Race 2 - 7pm Jaguar XE Handicap (Purse $135,000, 4yo+): Twice a beaten favourite, Charlie Appleby’s Good Fortune should make it third time lucky in this 14-runner handicap. Firmament can be expected to put in a typically strong performance, while Major Partnership (picture) and Seniority have genuine claims. GN Selections: 1. Good Fortune. 2. Major Partnership.

Race 3 -7.40pm UAE Oaks (Purse $250,000, 4yo+): A small but quality field headed by Saeed Bin Surour’s Dubai Love (pictured) line up for the fillies’ Classic. Dubai Love who looks very hard to oppose. Down On Da Bayo, who likes to dictate her races, had the measure of Dubai Love in the UAE 1000 Guineas trial over 1,400m. However, she did not stay the Guineas trip last month and it’s hard to see her doing so here. GN Selections: 1. Dubai Love. 2. Serein.

Race 4 - 8.15pm Zabeel Mile (Purse $250,000 - 4yo+): Charlie Appleby is well-represented in this contest with Mythical Magic (pictured), winner of this contest last season and Zakouski who looked impressive when winning a handicap over course and distance last month. Fellow Godolphin handler Saeed Bin Surour takes his chance with Dream Castle who was last seen chasing Barney Roy home in the Al Rashidiy. GN Selection: 1. Mythical Magic 2. Zakouski.

Race 5 - 8.50pm Meydan Sprint (Purse $250,000 – 4yo+) Equilateral and Waady (pictured) finished one-two when they last met and look set for a repeat clash in this blink-or-you-miss-it sprint over a straight five furlongs on the turf. A prep for the Al Quoz Sprint onDubai World Cup night, the contest has attracted some seasoned sprinters including the evergreen Caspain Prince who has run an amazing 83 races in his career and won 16 of them including one at Meydan back in 2015. GN Selections: 1. Equilateral. 2. Waady.

Race 6 - 9.25pm Range Rover Velar Handicap (Purse $135,000, 4yo+): Doug Watson’s Midnight Sands has won all four of his last starts and does not seem likely to surrender his winning streak at this point of time. He was particularly impressive when reining in Ambassadorial on his most recent start over a mile and should take all the beating here. A good performance could see him being aimed at the Godolphin Mile on DWC night. All Out Blitz made an eye-catching UAE debut in the Al Shindagha over 6f but looks a sort who will get the extra furlong. GN Selections: 1. Midnight Sands. 2. All Out Blitz.

Race 7 - 10pm Jaguar F Pace (Purse $135,000 4yo+): This contest brings the curtain down on a promising night’s racing at the Carnival. Saeed Bin Surour’s trusted rider Christophe Soumillion has opted to ride Dubai Legacy (pictured) in favour of Land Of Legends despite the latter running a big race behind Salute the Soldier. The reason could be that Dubai Legacy returns to his favoured turf. Epic Hero has looked consistent and is worth following while Corsen is another to observe. GN Selections: 1. Dubai Legacy. 2. Epic Hero.