Both Alexander Goldrun and Alayan will fly the Irish flag at the world's most valuable race meeting tonight but the $6 million Dubai World Cup itself looks set to visit a new destination courtesy of Japan's Kane Hekili.
A total of five US victories, four for Godolphin and a sole British success for Michael Stoute's Singspiel in 1997 is the 10-year record of the World Cup to date but it could easily be different this time.
Godolphin's Electrocutionist has only ever run on dirt once and that was a virtual solo. This time he has a terrible draw in box one and could be a favourite to oppose.
Stoute has Maraahel this year but the horse looks just off the top class and is unproven on the dirt while the American hopes are hardly in the Cigar or Silver Charm class of the past.
In contrast Kane Hekili is a dirt specialist having lost only one of his nine starts on the surface and even that sole defeat was due to a slip at the start.
No Irish-trained runner has ever contested the Nad Al Sheba centrepiece but there will be realistic hopes for Alexander Goldrun (Kevin Manning) in the $5 million Sheema Classic over a mile and a half on turf.
A proven international performer, she still looks to have it to do against an in-form Ouija Board. Alayan (Michael Kinane) has had two races on the track already but looks to be fighting for a place.
Other Irish overseas interest today will be at Redcar where Fran Berry returns to action on board Common World in the William Hill Lincoln. Berry hasn't ridden since getting a compressed fracture of a vertebra and a fractured sternum in a fall at the Curragh last August.
The home action this afternoon will be at Navan where the four-runner Grade Three An Uaimh Chase looks good for the novice Nickname. Crucially Conor O'Dwyer's mount has his favoured soft ground and both Hi Cloy and Watson Lake come here on the back of Cheltenham defeats.
Southern Vic tackles the shortest trip of his jumping career in the novice chase and this dour stayer might just be vulnerable to Majlis who gets 16lb.
