Horse Racing Tips Sat 29th March – O’Brien’s Star Can Rule In Dubai World Cup


Ruler of The World can outclass rivals at Meydan

On Saturday the curtain is well and truly raised on the 2014 Flat season. The William Hill Lincoln takes centre stage at Doncaster, while some 3,500 miles away from Town Moor the world’s richest race, the Dubai World Cup, will be run at 6.05pm UK time.

There are reasons to oppose RULER OF THE WORLD in the Dubai World Cup at Meydan – his draw in stall 12 being one – but there are a greater number of reasons to support last year’s Epsom Derby hero as he bids to provide trainer Aidan O’Brien with his first winner in this Emirates Airline-sponsored $10m race.

Put simply, the Galileo colt is much the best horse in the 16-strong field. With all due respect, I don’t believe that Hong Kong raiders Akeed Mofeed and Military Attack are any great shakes, while the remainder are, smart though they are, essentially not Group 1 performers.

You could argue – and justifiably so – that the 2013 Investec Derby was not a vintage renewal. Nevertheless, Ruler of The World beat what was put in front of him pretty decisively on what was just the third run of his career.

He appeared to surpass that form when a close third in the Champion Stakes at Ascot on his final start last term and, given that he was unraced as a juvenile, there is a strong possibility that there could be more to come from him as a four-year-old.

Stall 12 is hardly ideal, but Animal Kingdom was drawn in the same trap when landing this race last year, and I doubt that Ruler of The World will have any problems with the Tapeta track at Meydan. All in all, he’s begging to be backed at a standout 4/1 with Bet Victor.

Two value options in the Lincoln Handicap

The Lincoln is an infinitely more complicated puzzle to solve. Captain Cat will do for many on the basis that he looks well-handicapped judged on his latest effort on the AW, but at bigger prices I recommend splitting stakes on JACK’S REVENGE and UNSINKABLE.

Jack’s Revenge wasn’t beaten far when fifth in this race 12 months ago and, though he failed to get his head in front during his 2013 campaign, he posted several rock-solid efforts off similar marks to this in competitive handicaps.

The six-year-old boasts a good record when fresh and is ideally suited by a strongly-run race over a mile on a straight, galloping track. George Baker’s charge is at home on virtually any type of ground and he rates a decent bet at the generally available 16/1.

In terms of Unsinkable, you may think I have lost my marbles for recommending him following his inauspicious reappearance effort at Lingfield at the beginning of the month when making his debut for Jonjo O’Neill.

However, he will be much sharper this time and appears to be a on workable mark judged on what he showed in a couple of Listed races for Richard Fahey last term. He could be a steal at 33s with bet365 if responding well to a first-time hood in this cavalry charge.

Gabrials Kaka, Off Art and Tullius are all prominent in the betting and merit respect, along with Whispering Warrior, but Bronze Angel, who will be sporting first-time blinkers, could be a bigger threat. He’s just 1lb higher compared to when landing the 2012 Cambridgeshire.

Global Village can Spring a surprise

In the Lincoln consolation race, the William Hill Spring Mile, just a handful of the 22 runners can be ruled out with any degree of confidence, but it could be worth chancing GLOBAL VILLAGE at a tempting 14/1 with BetVictor.

The nine-year-old largely struggled after just failing to collar Levitate in last year’s Lincoln, but he’s now 2lb lower in the weights and a recent run at Wolverhampton and the addition of cheekpieces may well sharpen the gelding up.

Gworn did little wrong last term and it’s entirely possible that he could do better still this time round, so he has to enter calculations, while Dance And Dance is capable of a big run and Silvery Moon makes each-way appeal.

Earlier on the card Jack Dexter is bound to be popular in his bid to land the William Hill – Bet On The Move Cammidge Trophy for the second year running, but he will struggle to cope with TROPICS, who is currently available at 5/2 with the sponsors.

The selection was highly progressive last season, a campaign which culminated in Dean Ivory’s stable star landing a Group 3 at Ascot in good style. Tropics has his quirks, but he’s clearly very talented and I’ll be surprised if he’s beaten in this Listed event.

Saturday racing tips:

Doncaster

2.05 Guest of Honour
2.40 Tropics
3.15 Global Village
3.50 Jack’s Revenge & Unsinkable

Kempton 

2.20 Contributer
2.55 Rebellious Guest
3.30 Hoof It

Meydan

6.05 Ruler of The World