Live On Channel 4: Sat 17:35. Racing pundits Alan Thomson and Charlie McCann are split over the winner of the Dubai World Cup.
Alan goes for Twice Over whilts Charlie opts for Gio Ponti
Alan Thomson’s verdict:
Twice Over can be the springboard to a Classic season to remember for national treasure Henry Cecil by scooping the mind-blowing £3.8million Dubai World Cup pot on Saturday.
Jockey Tom Queally didn’t sound like a man losing any sleep when quizzed about his bothersome wide draw yesterday and reiterated his view that Twice Over was a much stronger and happier horse since his disappointing effort 12 months ago. Twice Over demolished his rivals in the Maktoum Challenge and arrives here at the top of his game.
Selection: Twice Over
Charlie McCann’s Verdict
The Dubai World Cup is the richest horserace in the world and it is nice to see Ballydoyle represented in the feature event (their first runner for six years in Dubai) with last year’s Irish Champion Stakes winner Cape Blanco who is likely to make it a thorough test from his low draw given he gets further than today’s 10f trip.
His ability to handle the track must be taken on trust given he has never run on an all-weather surface but if jockey Jamie Spencer can get the fractions right he can make a bold bid from the front.
The dual Champion Stakes winner Twice Over has been a superstar for the great Henry Cecil, who had a Cheltenham Festival winner last week and is long overdue a knighthood.
He was most impressive when beating one of today’s rivals Musir by a long looking 3l over C&D earlier in the month, but this is a tougher ask and having drawn stall 11 when down the field last year he must race from 12 today.
The heart says Twice Over but at more than treble the price with victorchandler.com the head says Gio Ponti who has twice finished ahead of Twice Over on this surface in the corresponding race last year and when runner up (Twice Over back in 3rd) to the great Zenyatta in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Selection: Gio Ponti
Compare Dubai World Cup Odds and bet at the best prices
