Twice Over Among the Contenders in Grade 1 Champion Stakes

Dubai’s World Cup preview night is set to unfold on “Super Thursday” and one of the major races is easily the third round of the Al Maktoum Challenge, where racing enthusiasts will see some of the highest-profile contenders from across the globe.

Twice Over (Observatory) is one of the key runners who lines up for a seasonal debut here. One wonders whether he’ll need the race or not as, at five years of age, there is a lower chance that he’ll be able to mount a major effort off the lay-off.

The impressive line-up of entries includes multiple selections from Godolphin, including Poet’s Voice () and recently-acquired Debussy (Diesis). Team Valor lines up Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes-winner Gitano Hernando (Hernando), who ran sixth in the Dubai World Cup last year.

Al Maktoum Challenge round one-winner Mendip (Harlan’s Holiday) is also pre-entered for this one and was able to mount an impressive score last time out, without even hitting career-high figures. The four year-old will likely have plenty in reserve and there is a very good chance that he’ll wind up with Dettori once again.

The second leg of the Al Maktoum Challenge was taken by Mike De Kock’s Bold Silvano (Silvano) and he’s expected to go off as the favourite for this one with Christophe Soumillon up. Speaking to the Racing Post, the leading South African conditioner declared “this race has always been the plan as his final prep... This is certain to be a much stronger race… We are delighted with him.”

Other notable shippers include Richard’s Kid (Lemon Drop Kid), owned by Zabeel Racing as well as Irish-bred Prince Bishop (Dubawi), who enters off back-to-back victories at Longchamp.