Horse Racing Betting: Dubai World Cup meeting

This weekend sees the richest horse-racing meeting in the world. Forget Cheltenham, forget the five-days of Royal Ascot, because in one day there is more than $21m up for grabs at Nad Al Sheba for the Dubai World Cup meeting.

Having just shelled out over $200m for an entire breeding operation in Australia, you would have thought that Sheikh Mohammed would be gunning for all the races on the card in a bid to recoup some of his funds.

And the most honourable sportsman in the world is indeed bidding to win back at least $6m with Jalil and Happy Boy trying to knock off red-hot favourite Curlin in the World Cup (5.30pm) itself. We have already highlighted earlier this week how last year's runner-up Premium Tap looked a decent each-way wager at 16/1, but you can now get 89 on Betfair which would be worth a small investment of anyone's money. For those who want a more realistic win bet though, Jalil looks a juicy price at 15/2 with Centrebet – the best odds around.

Jalil has actually run a quarter of a second faster than Curlin this season in a prep race over course and distance and with Curlin trading at as short as 1/3, it really is a no brainer.

Literato looks a massive wager in the Dubai Duty Free at Ladbrokes' standout 4/1. Godolphin's four-year-old has run 11 times, winning nine and finishing the runner up twice and faces nothing of the calibre of Lawman, who beat him in the French Derby last year, or Hurricane Fly; the only other horse to beat him.

It would be fair to consider Godolphin's other runner Creachadior, as well as outstanding fillies Darjina and Finsceal Beo, but that would be stabbing in the dark and in Literato we have an outstanding runner.

Sheikh Mohammed also has outstanding claims of keeping the prize money he is offering up in the Dubai Golden Shaheen. The 6f sprint has been won by American-trained horses in seven of the eight runnings, so it is no surprise to see Stateside horses Benny The Bull, Idiot Proof and Diabolical head the betting.

The last of the trio was bought by Godolphin and has already run in the royal blue colours at Nad Al Sheba. Diabolical won his latest start, a Group 3, but was racing up the centre when most of the field tracked to the stands' side. The four-and-a-half length beating he gave his rivals looks more impressive when you consider that he was giving the entire field weight and at 7/2 he looks another who may help out the Duabi ruler's pocket.

Benny The Bull is a fair favourite –Centrebet are a standout 2/1 – but it is difficult to see why he is so short considering Diabolical beat him by two-and-a-quarter-lengths giving him 5lbs at Saratoga last year. Diabolical looks by far the best bet on the card.

Verdict:
4pts Diabolical @ 7/2 (Coral)
2pts Literato @ 4/1 (Ladbrokes)
1pt Jalil @ 15/2 (Centrebet)
1pt win Premium Tap @ 89 (Betfair)