Dubai World Cup 2025: horse-by-horse analysis of (likely) final field

The analysis below was published on 19 March, and the prices given below were accurate at that point but are obviously subject to imminent change. Other key points to note:

• Last five runs - listed in chronological order (i.e. most recent on right)

• RPRs - the ratings assigned to the horse's last three races by the UK-based Racing Post (in chronological order, most recent on right)

• Stars (⭐) in the table denote relative appeal of horse as an antepost (futures) bet at the time of writing, whereby five stars indicates an extremely attractive bet and one star an extremely unattractive one.

Forever Young

4yo colt trained by Yoshito Yahagi

Last 5 runs: 31311  |  Last three RPRs: 121,124, 127  |  Status: intended runner

Profile

Logical, strong favourite for this race after winning an epic duel with Romantic Warrior in the Saudi Cup on 22 February, which was classified by the official international handicappers as the best flat racing performance of 2025 to date. Plenty of other things to like too, starting with a profile of consistent improvement in every single career start – bar a very slight regression in the Breeders Cup at Del Mar last November, where his running style (relentless grinder rather than “whoosh” turn of foot) would have been less effective over that tight circuit and short straight. What’s more, he clearly thrives on travel, having run admirably on every trip abroad and having won all three starts in the Middle East, including his only Meydan start to date (UAE Derby last year). In short, he towers over this field. The only obvious negative is the risk of some regression after his titanic Saudi Cup struggle – he will have had six weeks rest, but the possibility of that Riyadh effort having left a mark of some sort can hardly be ruled out.

Betting observations

Now well into odds-on territory, with the defection of Laurel River just cementing his position as by far the likeliest winner of this race. Indeed, The AntePoster considers 4/5 to be very fair and expects him to start shorter. But we do not advise odds-on betting, and would never countenance wagering at such a short price two weeks before a race.

Best fixed odds	Antepost price appeal
4/5 (Paddy Power)	⭐⭐⭐

Imperial Emperor

5yo gelding trained by Bhupat Seemar

Last 5 runs: 0-1121 |  Last three RPRs: 112, 112, 119  |  Status: intended runner

Profile

Initially based in UK with Charlie Appleby/Godolphin, where he won both his 2-year-old debut and his next start as a three-year-old, in both cases looking a decent prospect for this powerful stable. Didn’t progress, however, and after disappointing in his next four races (two in the UK, two in Dubai) was transferred to Bhupat Seemar. This new trainer has got him back on track and then some, with two handicap wins over a mile followed by a strong second (behind Walk Of Stars) in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge over 9.5 furlongs in late January. Seemingly improved yet again last time out when comfortably taking the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge over 10 furlongs on Super Saturday and deserves to take his place in this field on that showing. On the other hand, he's never faced a field as strong as this before.

Betting observations

Difficult not to be impressed by how Seemar has improved this horse. However, it's almost impossible to see him beating the favourite if that one gives his running, so the each-way wager would basically just be a bet to get your money back, which only makes sense when a horse is nailed-on to be placed. That doesn't apply here.

Best fixed odds	Antepost price appeal
11/2 (Paddy Power)	⭐⭐

Walk Of Stars

6yo gelding trained by Bhupat Seemar

Last 5 runs: 2-2110 |  Last three RPRs: 114, 118, 65  |  Status: intended runner

Profile

Remarkably similar profile to Imperial Emperor in that he started his career under the care of Charlie Appleby in the UK before being transferred to Dubai and the stable of Bhupat Seemar, who has taken him to another level this year. Very much caught the eye when pulverising Auto Bahn (who had finished second to Forever Young in the 2024 UAE Derby) in a listed race in December 2024 before then running out an impressive winner of the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge in late January, ahead of Imperial Emperor and Facteur Cheval. Faded dramatically in the Saudi Cup in late February, trailing home a whopping 29 lengths behind Forever Young, but was found to have an infection in the aftermath of that race and was immediately put on a course of antibiotics. Like stablemate Imperial Emperor he will have to improve to win this race, but the withdrawal of Laurel River enhances the chances of this front runner if he turns up ready to rock n' roll.

Betting observations

A very live candidate. Although he’s not an attractive antepost play given that he exited the Saudi Cup a sick horse, the 10/1 looks extremely enticing and one that would attract at the NRNB (non-runner no bet) stage if the noises from the stable are positive.

Best fixed odds	Antepost price appeal
10/1 (Ladbrokes/Coral)	⭐⭐⭐

Ushba Tesoro

8yo gelding trained by Noboru Takagi

Last 5 runs: 2204-3 |  Last three RPRs: 98, 112, 104  |  Status: intended runner 

Profile

Stalwart of the international dirt racing scene and a top-class competitor between December 2022 and March 2024, during which period he won five of his nine starts (including this race in 2023) and finished runner-up in both this race and the Saudi Cup (both in 2024). Has performed respectably since but there are clear signs that this deep closer is not the force of old, and although he finished third behind Forever Young last month in Riyadh the gap between the pair was a yawning 11 lengths. On the positive side the extra furlong at Meydan could help him run into a podium place, and his record in this race (winner in 2023, runner-up albeit well beaten in 2024) demands respect.

Betting observations

There is clear evidence of a decline in the form pattern of this old warrior, in keeping with his ageing profile, and The AntePoster finds it very difficult to see a scenario – other than a complete pace collapse – in which he can win this race, which will be his last before retirement. Moreover, the 25-1 available before the withdrawal of Laurel River (tweeted by The AntePoster as attractive at that point) has now shrunk to 16/1. We are neutral at this price.

Best fixed odds	Antepost price appeal
16/1 (Unibet)	⭐⭐⭐

Wilson Tesoro

6yo horse trained by Noboru Tagaki

Last 5 runs: 2122-4 |  Last three RPRs: 121, 120, 100  |  Status: intended runner 

Profile

One of Japan’s top dirt horses over the last few years with a win record of eight from 22. Although he has only won one of his last ten races, he has run some of his best-ever performances in that losing streak, including a narrow defeat to Ushba Tesoro in the 2023 Tokyo Daishoten at Ohi in December 2023, an even narrower defeat to the classy Lemon Pop in the Champions Cup at Chukyo racecourse a year later, and a 2-length second to Forever Young in the Tokyo Daishoten at the end of 2024. Well beaten in fourth (12 lengths) behind the same rival in the Saudi Cup last time, but it’s worth noting that he raced much closer to a ferocious pace than the third and fifth (Ushba Tesoro and Rattle N Roll). Another big run is not ruled out.

Betting observations

We liked this horse for the Saudi Cup (recommended at 40/1 on four-place terms, came 4th) and we liked him again for this race when he was 50/1 for a short period on the day of Laurel River's withdrawal as per our Mispricing Alert tweet. However, he is now only 25-1, and we consider this just a fair price.

Best fixed odds	Antepost price appeal
25/1 (SkyBet, BetVictor)	⭐⭐⭐

Ramjet

4yo horse trained by Shozo Sazaki

Last 5 runs: 1143-6 |  Last three RPRs: 106, 118, 98  |  Status: intended runner

Profile: Raced just once as a three-year-old but rapidly turned into one of Japan’s top performers in 2024, ending the year with an impressive runner-up placing behind Forever Young (beaten just two lengths) in the G1 Tokyo Daishoten at Ohi in the last week of December. That performance and his relatively unexposed profile made him an interesting outsider heading into the Saudi Cup in February, but he struggled to make an impact there on his first foray abroad, this time finishing sixth (and a full 14 lengths) behind his Ohi conqueror, as well as being adrift of Ushba Tesoro, Wilson Tesoro and Rattle N Roll. If that’s as good as he is he won't be in the mix for the places here, but it’s just possible the return to a more conventional dirt surface will suit this young Japanese contender, who may yet have more to give.

Betting observations

One of the few mid-market horses not to have shortened dramatically following the withdrawal of Laurel River. This makes him an interesting outsider, and worth a speculative each-way play.

Best fixed odds	Antepost price appeal
25/1 (generally)	⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rattle N Roll

6yo horse trained by Kenneth McPeek

Last 5 runs: 4-31-15 |  Last three RPRs: 119, 112, 100  |  Status: intended runner 

Profile

US horse who has had 22 runs, winning nine, but other than a juvenile G1 victory (against a field that in hindsight looks desperately poor) he has been beaten on all four tries at Grade 1 level, heavily so when faced with a very competitive field like this one. Most recently he came into the Saudi Cup in strong form (following wins in the G2 Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs in November and the G3 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup in Riyadh in January) but was once again found wanting at the highest level (finished 5th, beaten 12+ lengths). Did stay on late in that race having been waited with right at the back of the field, so maybe an extra furlong and Meydan’s more conventional dirt surface could see him eke out a little more.

Betting observations

Rather disappointing in the Saudi Cup given his impressive preparatory campaign, so it requires something of a leap of faith to believe he can suddenly become competitive in a deep G1 race for the first time in his career. Little betting appeal at the price.

Best fixed odds	Antepost price appeal
25/1  (Unibet)	⭐

Mixto

5yo horse trained by Doug O'Neill

Last 5 runs: 2103-4 |  Last three RPRs: 90, 116, 107  |  Status: intended runner 

Profile

Turned into a decent stakes-level horse on the California dirt racing circuit as a four-year-old last year, placing in two G2 races and one G3 contest without ever looking likely to bag a race at the highest level. However, he then delivered the performance of his life in the G1 Pacific Classic in September, winning at 22/1 (just ahead of subsequent Breeders Cup Dirt Mile winner Full Serrano) and earning a place in the Breeders Cup Classic. Thrashed in that contest (11th of 14, beaten 19 lengths) and again well beaten (to the tune of eight lengths) behind White Abarrio in the G1 Pegasus World Cup in late January, confirming that a deep G1 race is biting off more than he can chew. He faces a similar set-up here.

Betting observations

His one strong G1 performance in his native California last September is rather at odds with his general balance of form, and even a repeat effort wouldn't necessarily suffice to place in this race. Doesn't appeal.

Best fixed odds	Antepost price appeal
33/1 (Paddy Power)	⭐

Hit Show

5yo horse trained by Brad Cox

Last 5 runs: 115-13 |  Last three RPRs: 113, 118, ??  |  Status: intended runner 

Profile

Looked promising on the Kentucky Derby Trail in 2023 but a fifth place in that race and subsequent fourth in the Belmont Stakes a month later revealed that he was short of top class. After a long break he returned in the summer of 2024, racking up a trio of wins at G2/G3 level before being well beaten by Rattle N Roll in the G2 Clark Stakes in late November. After picking up another G3 he then returned to G1 level in the Santa Anita Handicap on 1 March, where he finished third but a humbling 12+ lengths behind easy winner Locked. This race looks tougher and deeper than that contest, and there's a strong likelihood that Middle Eastern owners rather than trainer Brad Cox lie behind this venture.

Betting observations

Never been good enough to compete with the big players at G1 level, and that looks unlikely to change here. That said, he was a best-price 40-1 before Laurel River was withdrawn and is now 50/1 (by some way the biggest price at which this horse has ever traded for any race), so a surprise placing would be quite rewarding for the each-way backer. Best of the wild outsiders.

Best fixed odds	Antepost price appeal
50/1 (Ladbrokes / Coral)	⭐⭐

Katonah

6yo horse trained by Doug O'Neill

Last 5 runs: 456-16 |  Last three RPRs: 96, 117, ??  |  Status: intended runner 

Profile: Presumably qualified for this race by virtue of his win in the G2 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita in late January. A truer reflection of his ability in the context of this race is his record in G1 company, which is poor and most recently encapsulated by a 22-length thrashing at the hands of Locked just over a fortnight ago – where he finished 9 lengths behind Hit Show for good measure. Doesn't appear to have any chance in this race, not least as ten furlongs looks the wrong trip.

Betting observations

No appeal.

Best fixed odds	Antepost price appeal
66/1 (William Hill / Ladbrokes / Coral)	⭐

Il Miracolo

5yo horse trained by Antonio Sano

Last 5 runs: 313-28 |  Last three RPRs: 112, 116, 94  |  Status: intended runner 

Profile

A decent type at G3 level in the US, but has never won at G2 level, and his record of distances beaten at G1 level (five attempts) makes sobering reading:13 lengths, 15 lengths, 6 lengths, 14 lengths, 11 lengths (the latter being the distance beaten by Mixto in the Pacific Classic last September). No chance at all in this race, which is the toughest G1 company he has ever faced, and for good measure he has never won first time out, so is just making up the numbers here.

Betting observations

No appeal at any price.

Best fixed odds	Antepost price appeal
66/1 (William Hill / Ladbrokes / Coral)	⭐