ONE OF the richest races on the planet takes place this afternoon, the Group One Dubai World Cup (4.35) at Meydan, but because it takes place on the dirt track, it seemingly fails to attract much interest from horse racing fans in Britain even though this year it is to be shown live on ITV.

This time around though there is significant British interest in the form of one of the favourites, Algiers, trained by the father-and-son team of Simon and Ed Crisford.

The late maturing six-year-old was only sixth of eight runners in the Listed Jane Seymour Stakes at Newmarket last October, but he has since hit a totally different level of form by waltzing away with a pair of Group 2 events at the track this spring, winning both races with any amount in hand of his rivals.

Of course this will be the acid test with very strong American and Japanese raiding parties, and I wonder whether a box draw of 13 could well be the difference between victory and defeat.

One of those Japanese raiders, Panthalassa, has already secured the richest race in the world, the Saudi, and in the process he saw off a number of tomorrow’s rivals.

However, stall 15 could readily see a couple of his rivals reverse that form here, and I will be having an each-way play on fellow raider CAFE PHAROAH, who had a poor draw that day and came home a never nearer third.

Winner of seven of his 11 starts on an artificial surface, the son of American Pharoah should be suited to an end-to-end gallop, and although stall 10 is far from perfect, I expect him to reel in most of his rivals down the home run.

Of the other races on the card, it is well worth having a second look at ISOLATE in the opening Godolphin Mile at 12.05, while CAIRO can take the UAE Derby for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore at 1.50 from a perfect pitch in box number five.

Back on home soil, the mares take centre stage over the sticks at Newbury and I will be surprised if EBONELLA doesn’t go well for Jamie Snowden in the British EBF BetVictor National Hunt Mares Novice Hurdle at 2.40.

The six-year-old was just outpaced by Poetic Music last time out and an opening handicap mark of 113 looks very fair.

If the forecast rains come to the Berkshire track then MONSIEUR LECOQ looks the call in the two-mile handicap chase at 4.25. He is fully 8lbs lower than his last winning mark from 12 months ago and may be able to get the better of the hat-trick seeking pair Le Ligerien and Not Available.

The big two-and-a-half mile handicap chase at 2.05 looks wide open and you could make a strong case for at least half a dozen entries including Numitor and The Big Bite, but I like the enigmatic RIDERS ON THE STORM here.

He started the season off in brilliant style when seeing off the very smart Hitman off this very same rating of 139, but has since run below form at Aintree again and Ascot.

There is no doubt he possesses the bare talent to win this valuable event and the first time visor may just enable him to find that edge again here.

There is some cracking prize money up for grabs at Kelso with some good size fields to boot, and the one horse I want to be on the right side of is HILL SIXTEEN in the staying handicap chase at 3.35.

Second in the Becher Chase in December 2021, the 10-year-old has been very in and out of form since then, but ran one of his better races here in the Listed Premier Chase last year behind Nuts Well. A recent wind operation may well help him and he is worth chancing at double figure odds here.

There is a cracking handicap hurdle at Bangor-On-Dee this afternoon and this feature event could go the way of GAELIC COAST, one of three Don McCain entries in this event.

He will probably go off the outsider of that trio, but it is too well handicapped to pass up and if all eight stand their ground he could be a solid each-way play against top weight and stable mate Minella Trump and bottom weight Tanganyika.

There are a couple of all-weather cards on parade tomorrow starting with Lingfield Park in the afternoon.

ELOSO may be able to defy top weight in the opening mile and a half handicap due off at 1.45, but an even better wager may come in the form of TONE THE BARONE in the five furlong event at 3.30.

The top weight has a lovely stall sit in box number two and his all round pace may prove too much for Arecibo and the double winning Badri.

Later on, under the lights at Wolverhampton, look out for any money in the marketplace for the Stuart Williams-trained TOLSTOY in the extended six-furlong handicap at 6.30.

In the last six months his handicap mark has dropped from 96 to 85 and he only needs a good break to go close here.

Later on, Irish import LION RING has solid claims on his third start in this country in the 8.00. A fast run six furlongs should suit the five-year-old nicely and he gets the vote over course and distance winner My Boy Jack and the in form Glorious Charmer.