3:25 Howden Neom Turf Cup (Group 2) 1m 2f 110y

The first three home from last year’s race, Spirit Dancer, Killer Ability and Calif clash again and the first-named will be popular, having again taken the Bahrain International Trophy as part of his preparation.

As with last year, Richard Fahey’s charge has been beaten since that win in Sakhir, and that shouldn’t be a concern, given what he achieved 12 months ago.

That said, he’s a much shorter price than Calif, who caught the eye last year when running on strongly to be beaten just a length and a half, having missed the break from the inside stall; Calif turned Bahrain form around, when finishing sixth to Romantic Warrior in the Hong Kong Cup last time and has a very similar chance on balance.

Calif shaped better than the bare result at Sha Tin, making a big move early in the straight to challenge for the places, but just unable to sustain that effort in the last half furlong.

That was a stronger contest than this and he has fared well with stall two here, which should suit his stalking style.

Alberto Sanna impressed when riding a winner here in January and is a more than able debut for Adrie de Vries, the gelding’s usual rider.

4:10 1351 Turf Sprint Presented By Boutique (Group 2) 6f 166y

The unusual distance of the Turf Sprint is a reminder of the date of the Proclamation of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932 – or 1351 in the Islamic Hijri calendar.

That consideration means that this is really a race for sprinter-milers, and the absolute speed merchants can be disadvantaged by a trip closer to seven than six furlongs.

Annaf has proven he’s suited by this test, when gaining a last-gasp win in this event last year, with Rossa Ryan getting a dream run up the rail.

Mick Appleby’s star has had a similar preparation and is again drawn low, which is an advantage, despite the fact that the bends at King Abdulaziz are well-cambered and coming wide off the home turn is no disadvantage.

The benefit of a low draw comes in getting track position early and, while Annaf will again be coming from off the pace, it’s likely that Ryan will again look to pick his way through on the inner, rather than waste ground and energy working wider out.

He has something to find on ratings with the Japanese filly Ascoli Piceno, but she needs to prove she can travel, having been a disappointing favourite in the Golden Eagle Stakes at Rosehill in December.

4:50 Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap (Group 2) 1m 7f

If there is one local horse worth considering at a huge price on Saudi Cup night, it might be Jack Red Cloud, who has a patchy profile and would seem an unlikely winner of a race like this, having run over seven furlongs for Andy Oliver in 2023.

Jack Red Cloud has also been below his best on recent runs locally, so his task looks nigh-on impossible at first glance, but stamina is the key to him, and he’s capable of making the frame at massive odds.

Jack Red Cloud has won three Cup races at Taif and Riyadh this season, his best effort when spreadeagling his rivals over a mile and a half here in October, absolutely slamming a pair who had beaten him earlier in the season and looking a horse of considerable staying potential.

He ran well when second to Wootton’sun in the Listed Crown Prince Cup and can be excused a rare poor run last time, when dropped to a wholly inadequate nine furlongs for the Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques, a Group 3 of huge local significance, but essentially a trial for the Saudi Cup itself.

Jack Red Cloud has yet to try this trip, but he’s a relentless galloper, who seems likely to be suited by the longer trip on a belated return to turf. Champion jockey-elect Adel Alfouraidi has been on board for all his best efforts and renews his association now, having missed the ride the last twice. He won’t lack for assistance from the saddle.

5:40 Saudi Cup (Group 1) 1m 1f

There has been plenty of talk about whether the outstanding Romantic Warrior will handle dirt, but it’s not a concern that I have, given how many turf horses from the UK and Ireland have adapted immediately to the surface at Riyadh, which is more forgiving than US-style dirt tracks and rides like a cross between dirt and synthetics, with regular riders keen to point out that it allows horses to quicken, whereas US dirt racing tends to be primarily about sustaining speed.

The switch of surface is certainly no reason to oppose this superstar lightly, and he proved he could travel well with his latest win in the Jebel Hatta at Meydan in January, typically coming with an irresistible late surge to win handsomely.

He’s the best horse in this race and looks sure to have the race set up for him, with Thamer Aldaihani’s local pair, Wait To Excel and Al Musmak, likely to set a brisk pace. Both are big outsiders, but are proven over course and distance and ridden by leading track riders and Aldaihani has an uncanny knack of getting his best horses to peak again for the big races, so it would be no surprise if one or both could lead deep into the contest.

Calif 3:25 Riyadh – 1pt e/w 16/1 (Hills, 14/1 general)

Annaf 4:10 Riyadh – 1pt e/ 6/1 (BetVictor, Ladbrokes, Coral)

Jack Red Cloud 4:50 Riyadh – 0.5pts e/w Jack Red Cloud 50/1 (general)

Romantic Warrior 5:40 Riyadh – 1pt win 11/4 (SkyBet, 9/4 general)