Providing Vision d’Etat passes a late fitness test, a field of 14 will go to post for the world's richest race, the Dubai World Cup (5.45) over 1m2f.

Allybar 16/1 general
Won his first two starts for Godolphin on this Tapeta surface but could only manage fourth to Red Desire in his prep last time and it will be a surprise if he's up to winning.

Amor De Pobre 100/1 Blue Square
Ex-Chilean mare who was third in Saudi Arabia's top dirt race but this a different league altogether.

Crowded House 12/1 Totesport
The 2008 Racing Post Trophy winner has yet to fulfil his potential, but has run two solid races in races (both here) that were not run to suit and was possibly unlucky not to beat Allybar last time as the winner got first run. Could well improve again to take a hand in the finish under the superb Johnny Velasquez, who is booked for the first time.

Furthest Land 40/1 bet365
Won the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, the form of which looks suspect, and his pedigree raises stamina doubts.

Gio Ponti 7/1 Ladbrokes
Won four successive Grade 1s on turf in America last year before handling the switch to Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface when running second to the brilliant Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Classic. On that running, he holds the third horse, Twice Over. Beaten in his prep but wouldn't have been near peak fitness that day and, being a top of the ground performer, he should like the surface.

Gitano Hernando 5/1 William Hill
Showed himself to be a top class performer when winning the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes in America last October and according to his trainer Marco Botti, he's a stronger horse this season. That's borne out by his impressive winning performance on the Polytrack at Lingfield last month and the runner-up, Suits Me, has franked the form since by running a three-quarters of a length second in the Winter Derby. He will again have the assistance of Kieren Fallon (on board in October) in the saddle.

Gloria de Campeao 16/1 Paddy Power
Finished a distant second to Well Armed in this race last year on dirt, but is arguably better on this surface and comes right into this on his second to Red Desire here last time. Does lack a turn of foot, though.

Lizard's Desire 33/1 Victor Chandler
Has won twice over course and distance but they were handicaps and more is needed here.

Mastery 20/1 Blue Square
Godolphin's first-string according to jockey bookings - Frankie Dettori rides - and should have no problem with the surface having finished third in the Breeder's Cup Marathon. The big worry is the trip, though, as last season's St Leger winner (over 1m6f) will surely find things happening a bit too quick. Also has a poor draw in 12 to contend with.

Mr Brock 40/1 Coral
Finished a fine third in the race won by Red Desire last time and won his two other Meydan starts in good style, but the suspicion remains he is not quite good enough.

Red Desire 8/1 general
High-class Japanese filly who came from a long way back to win the key course and distance trial on her Meydan debut, despite being unsuited by the slow pace. Will again be ridden to come late and her inside draw may be problematic in that respect as she'll need the gaps to come at the right time.

Richard's Kid 16/1 Sportingbet
His third to Gitano Hernando in the Goodwood Stakes makes him worthy of respect but his overall form is below the required standard.

Twice Over 6/1 Stan James
Winner of last season's Champion Stakes and a good third in the Breeders' Cup Classic (held by the winner Gio Ponti). Had a hard race there so his break will have done him good and his trainer Henry Cecil thinks he's a stronger horse this year. Could be better drawn in stall 11, though.

Vision D'Etat 6/1 Ladbrokes
Four time Group 1 winner at around this trip on turf (holds Twice Over on Royal Ascot form) and looked a bit special when winning the Hong Kong Cup last time out. The tremendous turn of foot he showed that day will be a valuable asset in this race and, providing he takes to the artificial surface, he is going to be tough to beat. Needs to pass a late fitness test but his backers need not worry if the words of his trainer Eric Libaud are anything to go by: "Everything is fine with Vision D'Etat. There are idiots who have been talking rubbish. All is well with the horse."

Verdict:
Gitano Hernando with Kieren Fallon up is very tempting as he looked out of the top drawer when winning on the British Polytrack last month. However, the record of British runners - one winner in 14 renewals - can't be coincidence and those horses trained in warmer climes over the winter may again have the edge. The US-trained horses have done well in previous World Cups on dirt but the emphasis is now likely to shift, given the race is being run on a synthetic surface for the first time. VISION D'ETAT is unproven on synthetics but that's not a real concern as Tapeta seems a thoroughly fair surface and the 6/1 on offer with Ladbrokes looks generous for a horse who has won eight of the nine times he's run less than 1m4f.