Godolphin in the driving seat

This Derby field is a bit disappointing, given that we are talking $2 million (Dh7.34 million) here. No US trained or European trained horse in the mix! With current exchange rates, one would think that the British, constantly complaining about poor prize money at home, would turn up, but no.

All the better for Godolphin, who have the heavy favourite in Desert Party, plus a couple of back-ups. I believe he is the banker on the night. This ex-American runner, who joined Saeed Bin Surour from Eoin Harty last autumn, has done everything right so far in his sophomore season and it would come as no big surprise to see him making an impact in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in May. First though, he has to win this, and win he will.

His two wins at the Carnival, where he landed the 2,000 Guineas is great style, have revealed an upward form curve. He runs like a horse who will appreciate this step up in distance, and it is hard to oppose Desert Party here. Naval Officer strikes me as the most likely danger.

A smart juvenile in France last year, this Jerry Baron trainee came with an excellent finish from off the pace when third to Godolphin's smart colt City Stye on the turf course last time out. Probably well prepared for his first taste of racing action on dirt, Naval Officer will love every yard of this 1800 metres contest, and he is likely to stay on past tiring rivals down the testing Nad Al Sheba straight. As a third choice, you can pick between a few.

Regal Ransom, twice in the slipstream of Desert Party already this winter, is one but I am not sure about his stamina. Soy Liberano showed plenty of stamina to beat Jose Adan in the Al Bastakiya, run over the full Derby trip, but what was the form worth? Perhaps the Saudi Arabian challenger Lelah Dorak is the answer. Horses from his part of the world are on the way up these days and he had done little wrong so far in his career.

Selections: 5 Desert Party 12 Naval Officer 3 Lelah Dorak