Free picks, PPs: Thursday's Dubai World Cup Carnival races

Saturday's multi-million dollar card in Saudi Arabia adds an extra dimension to the Dubai World Cup (G1) picture this spring, while back at Meydan on Thursday other hopefuls for the March 28 race could emerge from the featured Curlin Stakes. It goes alongside the Nad Al Sheba Trophy on an eight-race program.

Thanks to picks by Racing TV handicapper Angus McNae, you can play along. Plus, see free past performances for each race below.

RELATED: Play Dubai races on DerbyWars!

First post time is 9:30 a.m. ET, with Dubai racing airing on TVG.

Race 3 (10:40 a.m. ET) - Franz Kafka in the District One Residence Cup

The return to turf is a massive plus for this horse. He was impressive on the turf on his Meydan debut, making all the running and winning comfortably. His subsequent run on dirt should be ignored. He missed the break, didn’t face the kickback and was never in contention. Now back on the turf, he can confirm the impression that he made first time up here. The Simon Crisford team continue in good form. Epic Hero was a winner for them last week, and this horse can be another winner here.

Race 4 (11:15 a.m. ET) - Captain Von Trapp in the District One Blueviews Stretch

Salem Bin Ghadayer has this horse progressing steadily, and a big performance is not far away. He shaped really well last time out, when he did best of those who chased a furious pace. In the circumstances he did very well to finish fifth, beaten only by those ridden with more restraint. There is a fair chance he will jump out of the gates and dominate here under Mikael Barzalona, who has become a fine dirt rider.

Race 5 (11:50 a.m. ET) - Spanish Mission in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy

The Godolphin horses will be popular here, but Spanish Mission holds the strongest form. He is a very solid Group 3 performer having won at this level at Newmarket last season. His last win at Belmont Park in the Jockey Club Invitational was hard-fought, and he has been given time to get over that. Trainer David Simcock has done well at this year’s Carnival and this horse can give him another winner under the guidance of Jamie Spencer. Spanish Mission has crucial final 400-meter pace, which is so effective here at Meydan, and I can see him pouncing late on here.

Race 6 (12:25 p.m. ET) - Parsimony in the Curlin Stakes

Doug O’Neill has his horses in good form. Parsimony was a good fourth on his Meydan debut when he forced a strong pace and only gave way late. I was impressed with how he stuck to his task that day, and with that run under his belt he figures to improve here. There is a chance that he will get the lead particularly if Ambassadorial is ridden as patiently as he was behind Capezzano last time out. Parsimony to make a bold show from the front is the way I see things here.

Race 8 (1:35 p.m. ET) - On the Warpath in the District One Mansions Trophy

This horse rates as my best play of the night at Meydan. Returned to sprinting at Newmarket last May he won impressively over 6 furlongs in a tremendous time. He has gone up 8lb in the weights which is fully justified and the return to seven furlongs is no problem even though his future this year may well be as a sprinter. He handles Meydan as evidenced by his son at this meeting last year and whilst his mark of 110 makes this tougher, he showed at Newmarket that he is a future Graded Stakes performer.