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There are 23 Japanese runners here and most if not all were on the track at 5 a.m. this morning.

Hard to single any of them out but Liberty Island was one we particularly wanted to see in the flesh and she looked great – no Equinox this year so she should have a great a great chance in the Sheema, which is shaping up as usual to be the best race of the night.  Do Deuce also looked to be in great form – he runs in the Dubai Turf and my Japanese colleagues are very enthusiastic about his chances.  Stablemate Danon Beluga also looked good and runs in this race but not sure if this is the right race for him.

And of course Lord North is trying to win an extraordinary fourth consecutive year! 

Ushba Tesoro is expected to start favourite for the Dubai World Cup and retain the title that he won last year.  Another of the Japanese runners who looked good this morning was Dura Erede although this is a big ask for him.

At 7 a.m. the seven O'Briens came out in their usual formation with Tower of London obviously the head prefect leading them as they trotted round and then cantered.  Auguste Rodin was in second and looked calm and collected and obviously saving his energy for the Sheema.  An American runner Pandagate has aroused quite a bit of interest and trainer Christophe Clement's daughter-in-law commentator Acacia Clement was on hand to tell us about him.  They have been impressed with his progress and decided to make the trip to Dubai with a future calendar including the Wood and the he won't go to Kentucky but will go to the Belmont.  He's by Arrogate and at 17 hands is a big boy and while he may give the odd kick when being saddled he's otherwise a friendly horse.

The Barrier Draw for the Cup will be held this evening so we will bring details of that tomorrow.