Godolphin ace Benbatl to test Dubai World Cup credentials on first start on dirt

Three-time Group 1 winner Benbatl makes his much-anticipated first start on an dirt in round two of the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge (4.50) at Meydan.

The race has attracted ten runners, including Gronkowski, who was beaten just a nose in last year's Dubai World Cup.

Benbatl, who is a 16-1 chance to follow in the footsteps of his former stablemate Thunder Snow in the World Cup on March 28, appeared as good as ever when producing a dominant comeback in the Group 2 Singspiel Stakes over nine furlongs on the neighbouring turf course last month.

Benbatl pictured winning the Group 2 Joel Stakes at NewmarketCredit: Edward Whitaker

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor, said: "Benbatl is in good form and worked really well last Thursday. This is a test for him to see if he can handle the dirt and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed made the decision to run him.

"He works very well on the all-weather Tapeta at Al Quoz [training centre]. On Thursday, it’ll be his first time on dirt, so we will see."

Bin Suroor has won 11 of 26 runnings of the race, including with subsequent World Cup winners Moon Ballad (2003) and Thunder Snow (2018) and now relies on his current highest-rated horse, who is a Group 1 winner in three continents and has earned more than £4 million.

Watch: Benbatl wins at odds of 1-8 on his return to action

He added: "He needed his comeback and has improved from the race, that race was just to get him fit and he is ready to try the dirt. There’s no excuse now that he’s had a run and is fit. He’s an easy horse to train; a proper horse who has won in England, Germany, Australia and Dubai. He's just a class horse."

Gronkowski, who was agonisingly denied in the World Cup a year ago, made a solid return when third in a Listed contest at the track in December and may be using this as a prep for the inaugural Saudi Cup on February 29.

Thunder Snow beat Gronkowski by a nose in last year's Dubai World CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

Trainer Doug Watson, who has made a flying start to the Dubai Carnival, fields Kimbear, who won round one of the Challenge in January. The son of Temple City shaped as if the mile trip was short enough when getting up to deny Secret Ambition and should appreciate this extra furlong and a half.

Watson said: "Kimbear came out of his run in great shape and when I look back on his run in the Santa Anita Derby [in 2017], he didn’t run a bad race."

"He’s matured and the nice thing about him is you can ride him however you want. He takes kickback and he’s just in really good form right now. We’re hopeful he’ll stay the trip, but there are a few others in the race feeling it out, as well, including Benbatl, who is trying dirt for the first time and possibly Gronkowski, who may be using it as a prep for Saudi."

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