Dubai World Cup Tips: Mark Milligan has three Meydan selections from 3/1 to 7/1

• Hong Kong raider could prove too classy

• Pandagate to revive memories of his top-class sire

• Emily Upjohn looks overpriced in Sheema Classic

• Rachael Blackmore Serial Winners Fund at £205K - Read more here

13:15 Meydan - Back California Spangle @ 3/14.00

Saturday sees Meydan stage the highlight of its season, where a full international cast is assembled for Dubai World Cup night.

Although the big race itself is a rather sub-standard affair, there is quality throughout the rest of the card and some decent bets to be had in the supporting races.

The 6f Al Quoz Sprint on the turf hasn't attracted a particularly strong field - indeed, the last few seasons have been a bit barren since Blue Point took it in 2019 - but the Hong Kong-trained California Spangle brings a touch of class to proceedings.

Although primarily known for his exploits over 7f or 1m, Anthony Da Cruz's six-year-old isn't short of speed and brings solid Group 1 form into the contest.

That's something the other market leaders don't yet have on their CVs, and while there's undoubted potential in the likes of Charlie Appleby's Star Of Mystery, she needs to step up on what she's achieved so far to justify her place as favourite.

13:50 Meydan - Back Pandagate @ 7/18.00

It's been a while since we saw the mighty Arrogate win the World Cup in probably the most spectacular performance in the race's history and I'm hoping his son Pandagate can revive those memories in the UAE Derby.

Unlike many, I'm not entirely convinced by the claims of Japanese-trained favourite Forever Young at a short price - for all he probably has the best form - and his task is made harder by being drawn widest of all.

Pandagate is a US raider trained by the excellent Christophe Clement, and he impressed in taking a minor stakes race at Aqueduct on his most recent start, overcoming some trouble leaving the stalls to run out a convincing winner.

His only defeat to date came at Laurel Park in December, where he again suffered at the start and ended up having to come from dead last to finish third. He still looked raw and green there but clearly learnt plenty from that effort and was much more professional at Aqueduct last time.

A big, scopey sort, very reminiscent of his sire, Pandagate looks sure to go on improving and 7/18.00 looks a big price to my eye.

16:00 Meydan - Back Emily Upjohn @ 7/18.00

The John & Thady Gosden yard know exactly what it takes to win a Dubai Sheema Classic and their high-class filly Emily Upjohn seems to have been somewhat overlooked in the betting at 7/18.00.

Granted, she can throw in the odd stinker, but she's proven fresh and comfortably beat Westover on her seasonal reappearance in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last year.

We only have to cast our minds back 12 months or so to see Westover running a fine second to the monster Equinox in this very race to know what a solid piece of form that is.

The Japanese have another strong contender this time around in the shape of the filly Liberty Island, who herself was runner-up to Equinox when last seen in the Japan Cup.

A repeat of that will clearly see her go very close, but I'm not convinced the overall balance of her form is any better than Emily Upjohn's, and the Gosden filly is available at a much bigger price.

It would probably be foolish to rule out Auguste Rodin too, and this race has the makings of an absolute belter, with Emily Upjohn very much the value call.

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