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Saudi Cup winner Mishriff has been ruled out of the Dubai World Cup, for which he was the ante-post favourite, in favour of the Dubai Sheema Classic on the Meydan card on March 27.

Instead of tackling dirt again, the four-year-old will return to turf for the G1 race. It will be the colt's first run at a mile and a half.

The decision was announced by trainer John Gosden, who told the Racing Post: "This morning we've accepted an invitation for Mishriff to run in the Dubai Sheema Classic. He's a versatile horse and we've always wanted to try him over this trip of a mile and a half. This will then give him plenty of time for a break before tackling Royal Ascot in June and the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown the following month."

Mishriff was made favourite for the $12 million Dubai World Cup after beating top US horse Charlatan to land the world's richest race, the $20m Saudi Cup, under 21-year-old jockey David Egan in Riyadh last month.

Godolphin's Mystic Guide, who began his four-year-old campaign with a dominant victory in the G3 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park last weekend, has been installed the 7-2 new favourite with British bookmakers Ladbrokes after trainer Mike Stidham confirmed his participation to DRF.com.

The fields for Dubai World Cup night on March 27 are beginning to take shape with Frankie Dettori picking up the ride on Dieu Du Vin in the Godolphin Mile. Dettori already knows the four-year-old, having ridden him to victory as a two-year-old during a visit to Japan in November 2019. Dieu Du Vin finished fourth in the G2 Tokai Stakes on his latest start in January.

Ryan Moore has picked up the ride on another Japanese challenger in the shape of UAE Derby contender Takeru Pegasus.