Five highlights of the racing week...

ARRO ON TARGET AMERICAN superstar Arrogate is expected to take a starring role in Saturday’s Dubai World Cup at Meydan. Winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic back in November, he arrives here hot on the heels of his victory in the inaugural $12million Pegasus World Cup in January. A total of $10million is up for grabs this time and last year’s third Hoppertunity is also expected to be back for Baffert with a handful of other American contenders in the mix. POSTPONED DEFENCE ROGER VARIAN’S Postponed is on course to defend his Dubai Sheema Classic title on Meydan’s top-class card despite suffering defeat in his prep event at the beginning of the month while Roger Charlton’s Decorated Knight is expected to be a leading contender in the Dubai Turf following his win on Super Saturday. Limato is a possible for the Al Quoz Sprint, another fine prize on what is a glittering card in the desert. EXPRESS START FLAT action kicks off in Ireland with Naas hosting the opening exchanges as the Curragh, which is the traditional starting point of the campaign, continues to undergo redevelopment work. The Group Three EBF Park Express Stakes is the feature event and it is worth monitoring any contenders from Jim Bolger’s yard as he has won the race three times since its inception in 2003. The supporting Madrid Handicap featured subsequent Classic hero Awtaad last year too, so keep an eye on that as well. LAST CALL FOR FAST-TRACK TICKETS WITH All Weather Championships Finals Day drawing closer by the minute, Dundalk stages the final two fast-track qualifiers on Friday evening. The Good Friday card at Lingfield has proved an excellent addition to the winter programme and anyone wanting to secure a lastminute place in either the Middle Distance or Sprint divisions should be getting their Dundalk entries in sharpish. KEEP ON JUMPING THE National Hunt game takes a notable dip after the high-octane drama of the Cheltenham Festival, but Newbury’s two-day fixture has a few nice prizes that are worth taking home. Friday’s card is fairly average stuff but Saturday’s action includes the admirable Goffs Spring Sales Bumper, a £50,000 event for those sold at select sales over the last three years. The EBF & TBA Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Finale has £40,000 up for grabs and is an excellent Grade Two opportunity for those that might have found the Festival Mares’ event a touch too hot.