Japanese dominance doesn't surprise - but there were clues closer to home too

There was no surprise that Japan dominated at the Dubai World Cup meeting on Saturday. Their racing model supports a healthy ecosystem and many years of prioritising improving the quality of their horses is beginning to pay off in spades.

Bathrat Leon, Stay Foolish, Crown Pride, Panthalassa and Shahryar contributed to a fabulous five-timer at Meydan, and there were plenty of clues for the impending domestic Flat season too.

Lack of pace complicated a few of the races, and frustratingly for me it was the case in the Dubai Gold Cup. My selection Alignak is a strong stayer and although he closed to finish a fine fourth, I can't help but think he would have done even better with a decent pace to aim at.

His trainer Jamie Osborne has never been one to shirk a challenge and his grey appeals as the ideal type for the Melbourne Cup. Presumably he'll be given a break now, but before November races like the Ebor could be on his radar.

In the Al Quoz won by the Ado McGuinness-trained A Case Of You, racing towards the stands' side appeared to be an advantage and therefore Happy Romance emerges with a lot of credit.

So, too, does Naval Crown, who was more patiently ridden than is often the case and appeals as the type to win a decent race over six furlongs when everything falls right. I like the idea of the Diamond Jubilee for him, he was second in last year's Jersey Stakes and fourth in the 2,000 Guineas so don't underestimate him when he's allowed to let rip over sprinting trips.

Naval Crown: one to watch over sprinting tripsCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The race was never going to play to the strengths of the more reserved racers Creative Force and Suesa, and although they may find this season more difficult than last, they deserve to be excused for these efforts.

Lord North hasn't been a straightforward horse to train but he showed all his quality when dead-heating with Panthalassa in the Dubai Turf, a race he won 12 months ago, and he should be a solid benchmark in the Group 1s over 1m2f this season. You'd hope there would be a couple out there capable of beating him, however.

Like the Gold Cup, the Sheema Classic was also the victim of a steady pace, which proved agonising for favourite backers, who only narrowly missed out with the habitually held-up Yibir. He is clearly a more reliable proposition now he has been gelded, but he can be a difficult one to watch and of course he won't be eligible for races like the Arc.

Pyledriver will be, and he came out of the race with his reputation very much intact. He was trapped behind the winner for much of the journey and the gap didn't open when he needed it to. The Coronation Cup looks his for the taking once again and it's easy to see why his rider Frankie Dettori mentioned the King George – he won the King Edward VII at the track as a three-year-old. He remains one of the most likable horses around.

Put these horses on your radar for Sandown

I haven't let go of the jumps season just yet, and one of my favourite meetings of the year is still to come.

It might seem crass with the likes of Ayr, Aintree, Fairyhouse and Punchestown on the horizon but if you're a regular reader of this column you'll know Sandown is my chosen track and the bet365 Gold Cup meeting is a particular favourite.

I enjoyed one of my most memorable days at the meeting in 2019 when I backed Talkischeap, Younevercall and Larry – there's no after-timing here as I put them up in the RFO! – and it's always a great day out too.

A few horses are already on my radar and I'll definitely be getting stuck into the big handicap chase when a market materialises.

One to note for it in advance is Enrilo. He has an entry in the Scottish Grand National but it looks like he'll go straight to Sandown now.

Enrilo (second right): has a big handicap chase in himCredit: Edward Whitaker

He looked like he was going to be a commanding winner last year but pecked badly two fences from home and stargazed at the crowd up the run-in, impeding Kitty's Light and Potterman in the process, and the result was overturned.

He's been out only three times since, firstly when falling when going strongly in the Ladbrokes Trophy. He was then pulled up on unsuitable ground at Cheltenham in December before running a race full of promise when fourth in the Coral Trophy Handicap Chase at Kempton last time.

Despite that he is 1lb lower than this time 12 months ago and is a classy horse if putting his best foot forward. Decent ground, a marathon trip and late delivery could be part of the equation.

The aforementioned Larry would also be in with a shout as he's back down to the same mark as when winning the London Gold Cup really impressively at Ascot in October.

As I mentioned before, he won the novice handicap chase on the card three years ago and finished eighth in the race last year off 4lb higher. He didn't have a great preparation then and is sure to be more dangerous now.

His trainer Gary Moore may have that novice handicap chase in mind for Golden Boy Grey, who looked in desperate need of a step up in trip when winning nicely over 2m1f at Ascot on Sunday, when he was badly impeded on the home turn.

He has been consistent in lower grades this season and won in the style of a horse with plenty of improvement left in the tank. I really like him and I'd wager it's a short price he'll be turning up in all those good handicap chases at Ascot next autumn.

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