'As good as we've seen from any horse' - Life Is Good work has Pletcher purring

Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airlines (Group 1) | 3yo+ dirt | 1m2f | RTV/Sky

The Dubai World Cup has always been a race that excites, ever since it was introduced on the world stage back in 1996 when Cigar took the inaugural running, and it has been won by some outstanding horses in the 25 years since.

With a purse of nearly £9 million, the Meydan showpiece sits second only to the Saudi Cup in the list of the world's richest races, and once again it has attracted some of the best dirt horses from around the world, with the US looking to have a typically strong hand.

The colt at the top of the market is Todd Pletcher's Life Is Good, who is a class animal and comes here off the back of two impressive Grade 1 victories in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and Pegasus World Cup.

The furthest he has raced is 1m1f so it remains to be seen if he will stay the extra furlong, but the signs are encouraging as he finishes off his races well. A front-runner, he will likely look to get out quickly from stall one and make all the running.

Life Is Good's main rival looks to be Hot Rod Charlie from stall seven. This streetwise son of Oxbow finished second in a 1m4f Belmont Stakes so stamina is assured with him. Doug O'Neill's colt is a Grade 1 winner who will not shy away from a battle and he has the added advantage of having won at Meydan last time out.

Country Grammer is another forward-going type who was second to a big outsider in local runner Emblem Road in the Saudi Cup last time. Bob Baffert's runner has to find more improvement to win, but that isn't out of the question for a trainer who has won the race three times.

Steve Asmussen, who won with Curlin in 2008, saddles the admirably consistent Midnight Bourbon. He is owned by the same connections as Gun Runner, who was second behind Arrogate in the memorable 2017 running. This son of Tiznow always runs his race and was third behind Country Grammer in the Saudi Cup. He has many placed efforts to his name and could be one to pick up the pieces if the top two fail to perform.

Godolphin have won the last three runnings and this year are represented by top turf performer Real World and the French-trained Magny Cours. Real World was beaten a long way in the Saudi Cup last time and has yet to show any signs he is capable of winning a race of this magnitude on this surface. Magny Cours finished third behind Mystic Guide last year but this could be tougher.

Japanese is represented by Chuwa Wizard, who has some strong domestic form and cannot be ruled out. He will be coming from off the pace as he has a decent final kick and no question marks regarding stamina.
Race analysis by Shane Ketteridge

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Pletcher confident favourite can pass stamina test

With Todd Pletcher and wife Tracy a constant presence on the main track since the start of the week and the horse's star rising so rapidly through a series of stellar performances, Life Is Good would have commanded the lion's share of attention even if he had not been asked to walk round each morning.

But his physical presence and raking stride have stopped everyone in their tracks at shortly after 5am each day.

If Life Is Good has the reputation of a global superstar in waiting, he has the looks to back it up.

"He's an amazing horse to watch train – it's what we've become accustomed to seeing from here," said Pletcher during a Thursday press conference. "He does everything effortlessly and he's impressive every day. His major works leading up to this have been as good as we've seen from any horse."

Todd Pletcher with Life Is Good after exercising on the main track at Meydan on Tuesday morningCredit: Edward Whitaker

Having beaten Breeders' Cup Classic winner Knicks Go in the Pegasus, Life Is Good tackles a mile and a quarter for the first time.

Pletcher said: "We're just hoping he can get away from the one draw in good order and I would imagine he's going to be the pacesetter.

"We were impressed that he was able to make the lead that easily on a horse coming off a Breeders' Cup Classic win. I would be a bit surprised is someone was as fast as he is.

"He's handled every increase in distance well but this is something he has not done yet. We're very optimistic based on his training that he will handle it, but that's what we're here to prove."

Real World out to make it ten World Cups for Bin Suroor

Few trainers have such a dominant record in a major international Group 1 as Saeed bin Suroor in the Dubai World Cup.

While Godolphin teammate Charlie Appleby has plundered many of the globe's top races in recent years, the World Cup remains of paramount importance to Bin Suroor, who in Real World is pitching his best turf horse in against America's top dirt specialists in search of a tenth win.

Saeed bin Suroor will hope Real World can be added to his stars in the Meydan hall of fameCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He is a horse who has improved a lot physically," said Bin Suroor. "He is a really happy horse and his last piece of work on Saturday was really good. He is ready now.

"He missed the break in Saudi and immediately when I saw that, I said, 'game over'. He came back from the race well and you just have to forget what happened there. The horse works well on the all-weather at Al Quoz so we're giving him a chance."

Bin Suroor added: "The question is whether he jumps from the stalls. If he sits second or third and handy, it will be perfect as he can stay away from the kickback. He did it one time in Saudi [missed the break] and we don't want him to do it again here."

Real World will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon, who was on board Bin Suroor's Thunder Snow when he landed the race in 2018 and 2019.

What they say

Antonio Cintra, trainer of Aero Trem
Stall two is good for him, as he can't run at the back of the field. He is 100 per cent, he will do very well and I expect a good race from him.

Ryuji Okubo, trainer of Chuwa Wizard
Last year [when runner-up] was the first time for him in Dubai. He has become more used to the racecourse now, better than last year.

Jimmy Barnes, assistant to Bob Baffert, trainer of Country Grammer
It's not often you run in a $20m prep for a $12m race. He really showed up that night and all the signs are good. I believe he is a mile-and-a-quarter horse and, watching the replay, he was trying to come back at the end. He's such a gritty horse, we're looking forward to this. The competition is stepping up here but we've got a really good horse who is moving forward and I really feel good about this.

Hot Rod Charlie has lived up to his name in the mornings at Meydan this weekCredit: Edward Whitaker

Leandro Mora, assistant to Doug O'Neill, trainer of Hot Rod Charlie
I am very happy with him. He is a fan favourite and now he has to prove it. We talked about the draw and we wanted any post from one through seven, so we are happy with seven.

Salem bin Ghadayer, trainer of Hypothetical
I'm happy with him and the way he ran in his last race. The horse doesn't have any issues and wherever he ends up he will just slot in. He may have to come from behind and I don't think the draw [ten] is an issue.

Andre Fabre, trainer of Magny Cours
This has been the plan for some time. We considered finishing third last year a success so we will try to repeat that sort of performance. But I think it is a better race this year.

Carlos Rojas, work-rider of Midnight Bourbon
He's looking good and training really well. He's drawn eight and hopefully Jose Ortiz can get a good position from there.
Reporting by Scott Burton

Saturday's Meydan previews:

1.35 Meydan: Buick hopes he has made right choice picking 'very impressive' Man Of Promise

3.20 Meydan: 'They're bringing their complete A team' – can Lord North repel Japanese squad?

3.55 Meydan: which global formlines will prove the strongest in the Sheema Classic?

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