Benbatl the star turn as he bids for repeat victory in Singspiel Stakes

There could be a distinct sense of deja vu around Meydan on Thursday evening with the fields for feature races including not only last year’s winners but also those from 2018 including Godolphin pair Benbatl, victorious in the Singspiel Stakes two years ago, and stable companion Dream Castle, who landed the spoils in 2019, both for Saeed bin Suroor.

A 1m1f turf contest inaugurated in 2011, the Singspiel Stakes (4.15) has been upgraded to Group 2 status this year, undoubtedly aided by the subsequent exploits of the Bin Suroor duo who followed virtually identical paths in the UAE after winning this, with both going on to land the Group 2 Al Rashidiya and Group 1 Jebel Hatta on Super Satuday over this course and distance.

However Benbatl continued his local winning spree by adding the Group 1 Dubai Turf on the Dubai World Cup card, whereas Dream Castle finished last in last year's renewal.

Benbatl continued his stellar 2018 with Group 1 victories in both Germany and Australia, where he also chased home the majestic Winx in the Cox Plate. He ran just twice last year, winning on his comeback in the Group 2 Joel Stakes before finishing well beaten in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Champions Day.

Thursday's Meydan card

Dream Castle, meanwhile, has not won since Super Saturday in March and, seemingly, has been deserted by Christophe Soumillon, who was aboard for his three victories last year. Soumillon will instead partner Benbatl, usually ridden by Oisin Murphy, who is currently in Japan. Pat Cosgrave rides Dream Castle.

Bin Suroor said: "Benbatl is in good form and has enjoyed his winter in Dubai. The ground was heavy at Ascot and he is much better on a quicker surface, which he will get at Meydan where he has good form.

"He goes well fresh and this looks the ideal race to get him going. He does have a penalty but is a class horse and we expect a good run.

"Dream Castle is also in good shape and mostly ran well at the carnival last year. Conditions suit him and, as with Benbatl, this looks the ideal race to start his campaign."

Dream Castle: 'ideal race to start'Credit: Dubai Racing Club / Erika Rasmussen

The Godolphin duo face just five rivals and it would be something of a surprise were one of them not to win.

On the other hand, the official feature, the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 (5.25) over a mile on dirt, looks very competitive with North America seeking a repeat success in a race he won last year, breaking the track record in the process before adding the second round of the challenge to his tally for Satish Seemar and Richard Mullen.

Mullen's mount is drawn widest of all in eight, while Seemar also saddles Secret Ambition, who defied a penalty to land the Listed Dubai Creek Mile under Tadhg O'Shea, who retains the partnership.

Seemar said: "It is not a great draw for North America but hopefully he can break well. He has overcome poor draws in the past and we expect him to give it his best shot, but that wide gate does make it more difficult."

Last in this race in 2019 was the 2018 winner Heavy Metal, the mount of Mickael Barzalona for Salem bin Ghadayer and a winner on the Meydan dirt eight times, seven over this mile.

A trio of Doug Watson runners includes Muntazah, who lowered North America's track record on last year's Super Saturday card with an easy win in the Group 3 Burj Nahaar. Jim Crowley rides for his main employer Sheikh Hamdan, with Watson's stable jockey Pat Dobbs aboard Kimbear, second to Secret Ambition in the Dubai Creek Mile three weeks ago.

Of Muntazah, Watson said: "We are very happy with him and have twice taken him to Meydan to work and he has gone well. He is a big heavy horse so we have done more with him this season.

"Hopefully he runs well but he has bigger targets throughout the carnival."

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