Bold Silvano is set to make a return at Meydan

BOLD SILVANO, Mike De Kock's leading Dubai World Cup favourite for the $10 million race last year before injury intervened, is set to make his first appearance for a year at Meydan on Thursday.

The five-year-old appears among the 18 entries for the Group 2 Maktoum Challenge II which he won last year, but according to his trainer is set instead to take his chance in the Group 3 FirebreakStakes over 1m, like the Maktoum Challenge, on Tapeta.

He has been back in full work all year and is still considered a genuine World Cup candidate by his trainer - Coral are a best-priced 10-1 for the race  - who said:  "Bold Silvano has been off for a year and has obviously had his problems - thus he missed the big race last year. He has been given plenty of time to recover and has really pleased us in the preparation but, after a lot of consideration, we decided the 1m is the ideal place to bring him back after a year off.

"The World Cup at the end of March is a long way off yet and that is the ultimate target, so the shorter trip this week looks the way to go.

"We have Master Of Hounds in the Maktoum Challenge and there seems little point running them against each other now; if all goes to plan they will clash on Super Saturday in Maktoum Challenge III and then the World Cup."

Master Of Hounds, runner-up in last year's UAE Derby for Aidan O'Brien, chased home his stable companion in Maktoum Challenge I on his first start for De Kock.

BothGodolphin trainers look sure to be well represented in Maktoum Challenge II with Mahmood Al Zarooni, the Carnival's leading trainer thus far, having Biondetti, Dubai Prince and Casemento among the 18 nominated. All three have alternative options on the card and Al Zarooni said: "Obviously we will sit down and look atthe entries but all three are nice horses and seem in good form."

Saeed Bin Suroor has won this race on no fewer than seven occasions, including  with subsequent Dubai World Cup winner Moon Ballad in 2003.

His Prince Bishop was the ultra-impressive winner of a 1m2f Tapeta handicap on his return when beating stable companion Spring Of Fame who chased home  Bold Silvano on this night last year.

He could be joined by stable companions Pisco Sour, who would be having his first start for Godolphin and Mendip who failed to fire in this year's Maktoum Challenge I, a race he won last year.

It is also the UAE 2,000 Guineas with the trial winner, Dark Matter, set to concede weight tohis rivals being the only southern hemisphere-foaled runner. After winning the 7f trial, he switched to turf to win a handicap last time over that trip.

Trained by Singapore-based Steven Burridge, he was ridden by Ted Durcan on both occasions and he appears likely to face Godolphin's Kinglet who chased him home in the trial and will be hoping the step up to 1m will help him.