'This is much easier - she'll go close' - who is confident for wide-open sprint?

Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes (Group 3) | 5f | 3yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Two horses from different points in their career head the betting for this five-furlong Group 3 and both are thriving.

Tis Marvellous is eight but rolled back the years with a decisive success in the Beverley Bullet last time, while three-year-old Manaccan recorded a Racing Post Rating of 110 on each of his last three starts.

However, the form book often goes out the window in sprints and this is quite open regardless. It is also possible Mitbaahy would be favourite for this contest had he not struggled in the Group 2 King George Qatar Stakes last time.

Mitbaahy broke poorly that day and never got into the race, but a sharp track like Goodwood might not to his liking. There is little between Manaccan and Mitbaahy on peak form and he could provide one strand of value in the race.

Manaccan: Listed winner makes first start in Group companyCredit: Edward Whitaker

Many of the other leading contenders in this are six-furlong specialists dropping in trip and Chil Chil remains a mare to be interested in. She ran fifth in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock last time and this is a marked drop in class, and she can be deemed a versatile sprinter as her previous five-furlong outing yielded a fifth in the 2021 Nunthorpe to Winter Power. Surprisingly for a mare of her class, she has yet to win a Group race on turf but that could change here.

Tis Marvellous is Clive Cox's main contender but his bigger-priced runner Diligent Harry deserves a second look. He looks to have the speed for five furlongs and has always promised plenty. He needs fast ground and a strong pace to aim at and should get that set-up here.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Manaccan team hoping for quick ground

There was no doubting the authority with which Manaccan landed the Listed Scarbrough Stakes at Doncaster last week, and trainer John Ryan is hopeful his stable star can take the step up to Group 3 company in his stride.

"I hope the weather stays nice and dry," Ryan said. "Manaccan has come out of his Doncaster run very well, and this is the natural progression for him.

"These are never easy contests to win and there are a couple of older horses in there with good form. It's a tough race, but I think he's still improving."

Key to Manaccan's chance of back-to-back wins is the ground, with a fast surface enabling the progressive three-year-old to show his best form.

"The ground is a big thing with him," Ryan added. "If it stays dry it will really help us. We won't get good to firm at Newbury, but hopefully it will be good."

What they say

Clive Cox, trainer of Diligent Harry and Tis Marvellous
Tis Marvellous has come out of his race very well. He's clearly in excellent form after winning the Beverley Bullet for a second time and this is a helpful step without a penalty. Drying conditions will suit him and we're very happy with him as he's run well in the race in the past. This is a step back in trip for Diligent Harry. Drying conditions will also suit and he's in excellent form. He's a horse we like and he's run very well at Listed and Group level over six furlongs, but I think he's shown enough speed to warrant a go over five.

Steve Brown, assistant to Julie Camacho, trainer of Look Out Louis
He comes into the race in good form but needs to find another level now he's upped to Group company. His handicap mark has been elevated to three figures so we thought we might as well have a go. I hope the ground continues to dry out for him.

Ed Walker, trainer of Mountain Peak
The drying ground at Newbury is in his favour. He ran right up to his best when third under a big weight in a handicap at Haydock last time out.

Alastair Donald, racing manager to King Power Racing, owners of Chil Chil
She ran really well in the Haydock Sprint Cup from a slightly bad draw. She couldn't get any cover that day and with better fortune could have finished third. It looks like the ground will continue to dry out which is good news for her – the quicker the better. It's a much easier race than last time, and I think she'll go very close.
Reporting by Richard Birch

Saturday previews:

1.40 Newbury: 'We expect some improvement' - can anyone challenge Godolphin trio in Group 3?

2.30 Ayr: Early pace could prove key to breaking Tim Easterby's Silver Cup stranglehold

2.50 Newbury: 'He could be a dark horse' - analysis and key quotes for the Mill Reef

3.05 Ayr: Clive Cox hopes 'thriving' filly can follow Harry Angel's improvement arc

3.40 Ayr: 'I'm not sure he's streetwise enough' - Haggas on Ayr Gold Cup favourite

3.55 Gowran Park: Analysis and key quotes as Magic Chegaga bids to continue brilliant season

Sign up here. New customers only. First single & e/w bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 4 x £5 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.