The opening thoroughbred race of the 2023 Dubai World Cup Carnival sees Godolphin with six entries. William Buick's presence on WALK OF STARS suggests the Group 3-placed son of Dubawi could be the pick of Charlie Appleby's trio though Doncaster and Ascot winner First Ruler looks on a fair mark. Enemy, narrowly beaten in the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes at Ascot, is likely to find this on the short side but David O'Meara will have six-times winner Charging Thunder tuned up for his first start here. Dhahabi had Global Heat behind when scrambling home in a Newmarket handicap in September.
Enemy 33-1 (9-12) Towards rear, ridden and effort 2f out, weakened final furlong, 14th of 20, 11 1/4l behind Trawlerman (9-4) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Dhahabi (IRE) 9-2 (10-3) Dwelt close up, pushed along and headway entering final 2f, ridden to lead inside final furlong, all out, won at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Sep beating Amtiyaz (9-11) by shd, 7 ran.
Walk Of Stars 9-2 (9-2) Led early, chased leader, led again 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 8 3/4l behind Deauville Legend (9-2) at York 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Marching Army 4-1 (9-11) Led and set steady pace, led field far side in home straight, quickened tempo over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd 1f out, plugged on in well held 3rd, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Algiers (10-0) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Global Heat (IRE) 13-2 (10-2) Raced wide headway to lead after 2f, quickened pace 3f out, soon 3 lengths clear, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Dhahabi (10-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Charging Thunder 17-2 (9-5) In rear, pushed along 3f out, headway over 1f out, hung left under pressure, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Island Brave (9-2) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Law Of The Sea 11-2 (10-2) Keen tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 4, 7 1/4l behind Giavellotto (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 6f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Marshall Plan (9-2) 5th of 9, 8 1/4l behind Lost Eden (9-4) at Jebel Ali 1m 1f stks fst in Dec.
First Ruler 7-2 (9-4) Close up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden when stumbled over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 16, 6 1/2l behind Al Nafir (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
New Comedy (IRE) (8-10) 3rd of 0, 2 3/4l behind Wickywickywheels (8-9) at Abu Dhabi 1m 3f gd in Dec.
Franz Kafka (IRE) (8-7) 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Electrical Storm (8-10) at Meydan 1m 2f gd in Dec.
Green Team (FR) 25-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 22 1/2l behind Deauville Legend (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Nader 8-1 (9-5) Made all, ridden and ran on, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Oct beating Maytree Respite (9-4) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.
Traila 5-2 (9-7) Tracked leader until 9f out, tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 4th of 5, 23 1/2l behind Dark Jedi (9-11) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Oct.
Valyrian Steel (IRE) (8-10) 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Electrical Storm (8-10) at Meydan 1m 2f gd in Dec.
El Patriota (URU) (9-0) 6th of 0, 6 1/2l behind Wickywickywheels (8-9) at Abu Dhabi 1m 3f gd in Dec.
