Dubai World Cup Top Contenders

The American contingent arrived in Dubai today and several of them will be having a go at the 2011 Dubai World Cup – the richest prize on thoroughbred racing. The annual face-off in Dubai brings together an absolutely impressive field from all four corners of the globe. Everybody’s here for the same reason and the field looks to have some standout contenders and a number of talented outsiders.

Twice Over (Observatory) certainly deserves his status as the betting favourite with a sensation score in his seasonal debut at Meydan. He’d been laid-off from October 16^th to come back and score on March 3^rd in the third round of the Al Maktoum Challenge – against one of the toughest fields assembled in that high-profile series. The ability to hit off the lay-off means that he’ll be raring to go second time out. The forecast markets have him anywhere from 5/2-3/1 and his tenth-place finish last year could be avenged.

Bold Silvano (Silvano) took round 2 of the Al Maktoum Challenge and he looked very good with Christophe Soumillon aboard for the trip. He is a multiple Grade 1 winner in his native South Africa and represents one of the strongest contenders in the Mike De Kock yard in Dubai. Perhaps a bit short-priced at 7/2, it’s important to remember that the field in round 2 was not as accomplished as round 3. Head to head, you’d have to take Twice Over.

Cape Blanco (Galileo) will be entering the race off a rather lengthy lay-off and his 2010 season didn’t end on the highest of notes when he was well-beaten in the Arc De Triomphe. The talented four year-old looks dangerous on Irish soil but has not travelled well in the past with the only exception being a win over Workforce (King’s Best) in the Grade 2 Dante Stakes at York. He certainly boasts talent and he will have improved and grown in stature over the lay-off but it’s all a question of whether he’s going to need the race or not.

Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat) pushed Goldikova (Anabaa) all the way in the Breeders’ Cup Turf and it was a credible finish to his 2010 campaign. He ran fourth in the World Cup last year and likely needed to fire just a bit earlier than he did when prompted about 1.5f from the line. Trip quality is important for Gio Ponti and his partnership with Ramon Dominguez has born fruit in the past on a very consistent basis. In fact, the World Cup tilt last year was the only time Gio Ponti has not finished in the top two since a disappointing run in the Hollywood Derby in 2008. The race is not his to win or lose but this jack of all trades will certainly be able to put the pressure on the leading favourites and is an essential part of all exotic and trifecta wagers.