The most interest of course was in the Cup and here the two favourites Country Grammer and Panthalassa drew the two widest gates of 14 and 15.

Panthalassa's trainer was not too worried as he said however he jumped the horse would go forward because that is what he does.  Country Grammer's connections told us that they weren't too fussed either and that they would leave it all up to jockey Frankie Dettori (who knows the horse well) to sort out the tactics.

Algiers also drew wide in 13 which was admittedly not the first choice of his 12 year old owner Hamdan Sultan Ali Alsaboulu, the youngest owner of a runner in the history of the Dubai World Cup.  There's a solid phalanx of Japanese runners in the more fancied gates and one we think that will be favoured by this is Jun Light Bolt, who has a very fast finish and if he can be up on the pace it will suit.  Ryan Moore will ride and they have gate 3 so 20/1 looks VERY tempting.

The horse that has really taken our eye this week is Bathrat Leon, who has come to Dubai from the Saudi Cup day races a month ago and according to Yahagi-sensei has settled in very happily to life in Dubai.  He's a bigger, bulkier, fitter horse than last year and is attempting to win back-to-back Godolphin Miles.

We will have a more detailed look at the races later.  It's the "trying to be in three places at once" syndrome setting in!