THE eyes of flat racing fans will turn to the action from Riyadh today as the first staging of the Saudi Cup meeting takes place this afternoon.

Irish interest begins with Mount Everest lining up in the opening mile and two furlongs race, the Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup Conditions race at 1pm, but has stiff competition in the form of the Japanese star mare Deirdre.

Billy Lee partners Trais Flours for Ken Condon and, with only nine runners, could scoop a bit of prize money.

Next up is the six furlong sprint and Jospeh O’Brien could feature here with Speak In Colours who had some good graded form, third in the Group 1 Foret in Longchamp last year. Godolphin’s Hungerford Stakes winner Glorious Journey has a favourite’s chance, fresh from his Meydan Group 2 win two weeks ago.

Irish interest continues in the two-mile turf handicap at 2.10pm with Downdraft, due to be ridden by Ryan Moore, and Twilight Payment from Joseph O’Brien and Australian group winner True Self (Frankie Dettori) from the Mullins yard.

The 2018 Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter, Dee Ex Bee and the globetrotting Prince of Arran make a competitive field.

South African challenger Bella Fever is an intriguing runner in the Saudi Derby with another filly, the impressive UAE Oaks winner Down On Da Bayou also one to note.

Top US sprinter Imperial Hint takes in the six furlong dirt sprint.

The Saudi Cup has attracted a truly top notch international field for its $20 million prize fund. It has attracted the best of the older horses from the US, including two Eclipse Award winners in Maximum Security and Midnight Bisou and the Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Mucho Gusto.

Japanese Group 1 winner Chrysoberyl is the mount of Christophe Soumillon on a five race winning streak while the British challenger is Benbatl who impressed on the dirt in Meydan.

Magic Wand continues on her travels but again has not been lucky with the draw and will start from a wide stall 12 in the field of 14.

It would be no surprise, however, to see Bob Baffert take this huge prize with the consistent five-year-old McKinzie, well drawn in eight.