5:40 Saudi Cup (Group 1) Dirt 1m1f

THE Group 1 Saudi Cup looks like a match between America and Japan.

After success with Panthalassa last season, the Japanese challenge is back with two leading contenders in Derma Sotogake, Ushba Tesoro and the Godolphin Group 1 winner Lemon Pop.

The strong American challenge is made up of Preakness winner National Treasure from Bob Baffert, the up and coming Saudi Crown from Brad Cox and Breeders’ Cup winner White Abarrio from Richard Dutrow Jr. All are pretty well drawn.

White Abarrio defeated Derma Sotogake in the Classic, and will face the starter for the first time since in today’s contest at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh. This race has been his target since and he was much improved on his last two runs last season.

Bob Baffert runners have finished second here in each of the past three years and he will saddle National Treasure from stall seven.

He usually races prominently and he kept on gamely to win the Group 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes at Gulfstream Park on January 27th from today’s rival Senor Buscador.

Also a front runner, Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby winner Saudi Crown prepped in the Grade 3 Louisiana Stakes at Fair Grounds on January 20th and goes from stall five.

Japan is seeking a second consecutive success in the $20 million contest following the victory of Panthalassa last year and Derma Sotogake, who was third in the Saudi Derby, at the meeting last year, looks their best hope.

The involvement of the four-year-old, last seen finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, was put in jeopardy when he suffered an injury to his right eye during his flight to Riyadh. Ushba Tesoro won last year’s Dubai World Cup and could well make a big impact.

Of the Arab-trained runners, Doug Watson’s Isolate won the Group 2 Godolphin Mile on this card last year.

The first race of interest to British and Irish raiders is at 3:25pm, the Group 2 Saudi National Bank 1351 Turf Sprint, worth over €1 million in prize money.

Annaf (Michael Appleby/Rossa Ryan), Art Power (Tim Easterby/David Allan) and Jumby (Eve Johnson-Houghton/Christophe Soumillon), Mysterious Night (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) make up a strong British challenge.

Mysterious Night comes off two Meydan seven furlong wins and looks sure to go close.

However, this could be a big day for Kieran Cotter with Oisin Murphy doing the steering on his filly Matilda Picotte. She looked close to Group 1 standard last season. The shorter distance and faster ground may be the biggest issue. Aguri and Bathrat Leon are the Japanese contenders and are well supported to make the frame.

Luxembourg and Ryan Moore avoid the top notchers and line up in the 4:10 Group 2 Howden Neom Turf Cup over an extended mile and two furlongs.

Not blessed in the draw, he breaks from the widest in 13 but on the balance of his form, is better than these.

Spirit Dancer, winner of the Bahrain International Trophy in November represents Richard Fahey and Oisin Orr along with The Foxes (Andrew Balding/Oisin Murphy) and Daniel & Claire Kubler’s Cambridgeshire winner Astro King and French Group 2 winner Jack Darcy for the Gosdens.

Tower Of London runs in the 4:50 Group 3 Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap over a mile and seven.

Although drawn widest, the St Leger fourth should be too classy for the likes of Enemy and Roberto Escobarr and the Japanese runners.