MEYDAN 17:00

All 12 ran.

Time: 2m 1.83s

Overrounds: Industry SP 117%, Betfair SP 104.3%

The Dubai World Cup has often not lived up to its billing as the world's richest race since the switch to Meydan, though this looked a renewal which justified the switch to dirt, in most part due to the US challenge returning in their numbers, and it got the result the race ultimately needed with California Chrome producing a top-class performance, while those initially in behind give the form real substance.

CALIFORNIA CHROME (USA) runner-up in this race 12 months ago, crucially came here after a couple of prep runs this time in his bid to go one better, and he produced a career best to record one of the most impressive victories in the 21-year history of the race, all the more so considering he covered a lot of ground out wide and his jockey's saddle was reportedly slipping from 2f out; raced wide, in touch, travelled strongly, ridden early in straight, produced to lead 1½f out, stormed clear; he heads back to the US now and will continue to take all the beating wherever he goes.

MUBTAAHIJ (IRE) one of the star's of last year's Carnival, had clear excuses for both his runs this term, and having been trained with this race solely in mind got back to his very best, beating all bar a top-class winner in California Chrome; mid-field, loomed up home turn, disputed lead 2f out, stuck to task; he will reportedly head back to the US now, and should do well over there.

HOPPERTUNITY (USA) representing a yard who have won this race twice before, ran well on form, deserving real credit for finishing in the places after not having the requisite pace to go with them early, in turn forced to cover plenty of extra ground; raced wide, held up, went with little fluency, kept on well last ½f, never nearer.

SPECIAL FIGHTER (IRE) had everything go right when winning the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 on Super Saturday, but showed that success was by no means a fluke as he made the frame in the big one, evidently a very smart performer on dirt despite this being just his seventh career start on the surface; close up, driven 3f out, disputed lead soon after, kept on.

FROSTED (USA) looked a major player for this race after winning his trial here last month, but ran just respectably, forced to cover more ground than anything, but he wasn't the only one who raced out wide, possibly worth noting that none of his yard's runners truly fired on the card after all had impressed with victories in the build-up; mid-field, driven out wide 3f out, one paced, made no impression.

MSHAWISH (USA) a latecomer to dirt but has taken to it well, coming here off the back of a pair of wins at Gulfstream (including the Grade 1 Donn Handicap latest), and he ran creditably here despite looking stretched by this longer trip after setting the pace; led, went with zest, pushed along 3f out, headed 1f out, no extra last ½f.

CANDY BOY (USA) not seen since this race 12 months previously, shaped as if retaining all ability on return from an injury, ridden to pick up the pieces and running as well as could be expected; held up, off the bridle before most, steady headway home turn, one paced.

KEEN ICE (USA) ran below form in first-time blinkers, but needs a particular set of circumstances to be seen at best and didn't really get it on this speed-orientated track; held up, never travelling well, made no impression, unsuited by the way the race developed.

HOKKO TARUMAE (JPN) faced a stiffish task in this grade against top-level US performers, and ran below form under a more patient ride than usual; waited with, off the bridle before most, never involved.

TELETEXT (USA) Ex-Pascal Bary, had won 3 of his 4 starts on dirt in Saudi Arabia, but was evidently out of his depth here; slowly into stride, soon behind, beaten home turn.

VADAMOS (FR) isn't bred for dirt, and though travelled fine to a point, ultimately seemed unsuited by the surface after getting stuck in the kickback; held up, ridden approaching home turn, found little.

GUN PIT (AUS) was too free in the early stages and ran poorly; in touch, took strong hold, ridden end of back straight, soon beaten.