Whether events on the level or over jumps set your punting pulse racing, this coming Saturday is a cracker. The small matter of the biggest betting race of the year takes centre stage at Aintree on Saturday afternoon, as the runners and riders set out over the most famous fences in the game in the £1 million Randox Grand National
Meanwhile, in Meydan, we have a mouthwatering card featuring no fewer than five Group 1 events, headlined by the 2025 edition of the Dubai World Cup. Whilst the Grand National prize money is not to be sniffed at, that £1 million total is put firmly into the shade at Dubai’s most famous racecourse. Never ones to do things by halves on the prize money front, Dubai World Cup night offers £23.6 million in total prize money, including a staggering £9.6 million in the feature event.
Tuning in to witness the crème de la crème of global racing talent doing battle for millions is always hard to resist. However, if there is one thing to enhance the appeal, it is a smattering of British and Irish raiders among the entries. Happily, in the 2025 renewal, we have exactly that, with the following contests featuring a strong British and Irish challenge.
Dubai Gold Cup
Aidan O’Brien has landed the past two editions of the big turf event for the stayers. The master handler will hope to make it three in a row in 2025 with the 2023 St Leger hero, Continuous. He’s without a Group 1 success since that Doncaster triumph but made an encouraging return to action when third in the Red Sea Turf Handicap at Riyadh.
Others to note in a strong race for the raiders include Ascot Gold Cup runner-up Trawlerman and the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Dubai Future, who claimed the Nad Al Sheba Trophy at this track in February.
Al Quoz Sprint
In common with many major international meetings, the British and Irish fare best in the turf events. Having claimed three of the past six editions of this six-furlong affair, the raiding party has solid claims of plundering the pot in 2025.
John and Thady Gosden, Edward Bethell, George Scott, George Boughey, and Stuart Williams are the Brits represented this year. Going in the Cheveley Park silks, Audience is the pick of the field on ratings but has yet to win over a trip so short. Regional and Believing have no such concerns, with the former claiming the 2023 edition of the Haydock Sprint Cup and the latter landing the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh in 2024.
UAE Derby
Whilst their strength may lie on turf, the Brits aren’t afraid to tackle the dirt contests on Dubai World Cup night. By Honor A.P. and out of a Scat Daddy mare, the Jamie Osborne-trained Heart Of Honor boasts an appealing dirt pedigree and warmed up for this with a fast-finishing second in a Listed event over this course and distance. With Jamie’s daughter Saffie in the saddle, he looks set to go well.
Dubai Turf
Race six on the card provides four million reasons for the British and Irish trainers to make the long trip to Meydan. In recent years, that has been a trip worth taking, largely thanks to the exploits of Lord North, who claimed the top spot three times for the Gosden team.
Whilst the Gosdens aren’t represented in 2025, the Brits still send a potent four-pronged attack into battle. The Clive Cox-trained Ghostwriter ran several fine races in defeat last season, as did the William Haggas runner Maljoom, who found only Notable Speech too good in the Sussex Stakes. However, having finished first and second last time out in the Singspiel Stakes at this track, the Charlie Appleby-trained Nations Pride and Holloway Boy from the yard of Karl Burke may boast the strongest claims.
Dubai Sheema Classic
Lacking an entry in the Dubai World Cup, the biggest payday for the British and Irish trainers may arrive in this £4.8 million contest over 1m4f.
Having sent out the winner three times since 2018, Charlie Appleby relies on 2024 champ Rebel’s Romance this time around. The son of Dubawi caused a 25/1 shock 12 months ago but is amongst the favourites in 2025.
Epsom Derby fourth Deira Mile needs to step up on recent efforts, but the Marco Botti-trained Giavellotto showed he was more than just a stayer when hacking up in the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase. With the excellent Oisin Murphy in the saddle, he looks like one of the more intriguing each-way options at a double-figure price.
Whilst it may be easy to be swept away by the Grand National excitement on Saturday afternoon, this outstanding flat fixture is not to be missed.