Dubai World Cup racecard analysis and predictions

From the opening Kahayla Classic to the US$10m Dubai World Cup — The National predicts who will come out on top at Meydan.

Transcend, the Japanese horse, on his morning gallop at Meydan Racecourse yesterday in preparation for the Dubai World Cup.

The racecard, analysis and predictions for the Dubai World Cup.

Analysis: Paris Gagner and Santhal should set the tempo, with No Risk Al Maury, Nieshan and Periander making late moves. Seraphin Du Paon will likely move last, but has the acceleration to run them down in the final 400 metres.

Prediction: 1 Seraphin Du Paon, 2 Nieshan, 3 No Risk Al Maury

Analysis: How to stop JJ The Jet Plane? He is looking better than ever at the age of seven. Others to watch out for are the American challenger Quick Enough and Great Britain's Sole Power.

Prediction: 1 JJ The Jet Plane, 2 Quick Enough, 3 Sole Powe

Analysis: Skysurfers put up a career best effort when beating Musir last time, but needs a break to be at his best. Rileyskeepingfaith has progressed since being with trainer Mahmood al Zarooni, but Premio Loco and Red Jazz could beat them both if taking to the Tapeta all-weather surface.

Prediction: 1 Red Jazz, 2 Premio Loco, 3 Skysurfers

Analysis: How to stop JJ The Jet Plane? He is looking better than ever at the age of seven. Others to watch out for are the American challenger Quick Enough and Great Britain's Sole Power.

Prediction: 1 JJ The Jet Plane, 2 Quick Enough, 3 Sole Powe

Analysis: Mahmood al Zarooni's Xin Xu Lin is drawn poorly in stall 13, especially for a front-runner, but is the class horse in the race. Reem, Mahbooba and Khawlah bid to become the first fillies to win the UAE Derby, and they could be slugging it out at the finish.

Prediction: 1 Khawlah, 2 Mahbooba, 3 Reem

Analysis: This will be fast and furious. Bob Baffert's Euroears is going to blaze a trial, while the jockeys of Kinsale King and Rocket Man will need to decide whether to match that one stride for stride or slot in just behind. With so much pace in the race, watch out for the hold-up horses Sunny King and Green Birdie.

Prediction: 1 Kinsale King, 2 Rocket Man, 3 Sunny King

Analysis: A wide open contest. Local trainer Ali Rashid al Raihe has reason to be hopeful with the improving Derbaas, while the consistent pair of Tazeez and Bankable can be relied upon. Presvis will need the breaks he did not get last year but Wigmore Hall and Mendip have the improvement to be real stars.

Prediction: 1 Mendip, 2 Wigmore Hall, 3 Better Than Ever

Analysis: Eight of the last 10 winners of this race were successful in their previous race. That would suggest that only Laaheb, Champ Pegasus, Rulership, and Dangerous Midge can be in the mix. If Rewilding is in any sort of form after his 196-day lay-off he would hold serious claims, too.

Prediction: 1 Rulership, 2 Dangerous Midge, 3 Rewilding

Analysis: Twice Over has everything going for him and can only improve on his Maktoum Challenge victory. The Japanese horses will be hard to beat, especially Buena Vista with her weight allowance. Poet's Voice could run a huge race now Saeed bin Suroor has taught him to relax.

Prediction: 1 Twice Over, 2 Buena Vista, 3 Victoire Pisa