Storm Belt a strong contender at Meydan

dubai — Last year’s winner Storm Belt is one of the top contenders in a highly competitive field of 13 for 2000m The Entisar race, which is the same as the $10-million Dubai World Cup (G1).

The race will set the tone for the 2018 Dubai World Cup Carnival, which is just three weeks away .

As he did 12 months ago, Fernando Jara comes in for the spare ride on Storm Belt from post four, with Patrick Dobbs electing to partner last-out Godolphin Mile (G2) winner Second Summer from post 11. Dobbs’ mount is penalised for that success, but certainly has the potential to develop into a genuine World Cup contender this year.

“We had hoped to get him to the World Cup last season,” Watson said. “But, having run very well first time, he did not perform as we had hoped on Super Saturday, so we ended up in the Godolphin Mile. Obviously, he won that for us and, on reflection, I am not sure we would have wanted to take on Arrogate (with) the form he was in on the big night.

“Hopefully Second Summer is a World Cup horse for this season,” Watson continued. “The draw could have been kinder, he has a penalty and will benefit for the outing, but he is in great form at home and should run well in what looks a strong race.”

Jockey Sam Hitchcott, meanwhile, has chosen Faulkner, second in the 2016 Godolphin Mile (G2), behind another Watson star, One Man Band. Faulkner, who breaks from post 12, was then off the course until chasing home stable companion, Cosmo Charlie, in a 1600m conditions race at Meydan a month ago.

Etijaah (post three) is a fourth Watson runner and another course and distance winner who contested the race won by Cosmo Charlie last month. Dane O’Neill rides from post three for his employer, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Watson said: “Sam has gone with Faulkner, who delighted us on his return after such a long time off. Again, the draw is not the best, but he is a horse we have always held in the highest regard.

“If he breaks well, Storm Belt has a good draw in four, just outside Etijaah who will appreciate the return to 2000m,” he continued. “We would like to think all four of ours have good chances.”

It could be that Godolphin’s Fly At Dawn (William Buick, post 10) is a bigger danger to the Watson quartet. Trained by Charlie Appleby, Fly At Dawn has also not run since World Cup Day, when fifth in the UAE Derby (G2), but did win at Meydan over 1400m, beating Cosmo Charlie, in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial in January.