Maktoum Challenge has open look

Dubai: Trainer Saeed Bin Surour has a strong hand in today's second round of the Maktoum Challenge with Boscobel, Eu Tambem and Imperial Star expected to dictate proceedings in the Group 3 contest.

The Godolphin handler will be looking for his sixth success in the race and first since Moon Ballad in 2004.

Overseas runners have triumphed in recent years and last year's winner Kandidate will be bidding to become the third horse to win in consecutive years after Godolphin's Best of The Bests (2001-'02) and Jack Sullivan (2005-'06).

Boscobel, fourth in last year's Irish Derby, and Eu Tambem, winner of Maktoum Challenge Round 3 at last year's Carnival, merit plenty of respect.

Assessing the chances of his runners, Bin Surour, on the stable's website, said: "Boscobel is working well and I am happy with his progress. I think racing on dirt will be fine for him and he has won three times on Polytrack in England.

"Eu Tambem is in good form and I am happy with him. It looks like it will be a tough race, but he is ready and I am looking forward to a good run from him.

"Imperial Star has been working well and is another who is ready to run. I'm happy with his progress and hopeful for a good race."

The Godolphin runners take on a strong field including Kandidate, Jack Sullivan and recent Invasor Stakes winner Lucky Find from the Mike de Kock stable.

Step up in class

Ex-Godolphin horse Rampallion, now trained by Erwan Charpy, looks to have a big chance provided he can cope with the step up in class. A five-year-old by Daylami, Rampallion caught the eye when producing a late burst to win a competitive handicap over course and distance last month.

British trainer Clive Brittain is hoping Kandidate will be able to "emulate what he did last year' when winning the Group 2 by 5 lengths from Mullins Bay.

"The plan is to get him invited to run in the Dubai World Cup again but it obviously depends on his performance in the Maktoum Challenge," the trainer told the Dubai Racing Club.

"We hope to take our chance, but realise the Carnival is getting tougher each year. We felt that in last year's World Cup when he broke he stumbled and that hampered him from the off.

"I'm not saying that he would have won but he would have been a lot closer to the fourth placed horse Vermilion."

Today's card features some strong handicap races with powerful South African trainer De Kock holding most of the aces.

Selections

First race: 1. Al Jalfane 2. Santhal

Second: 1. Drift Ice 2. Mariol

Third: 1. Happy Runner 2. Frosty Secret

Fourth: 1. African Appeal 2. Big Timer

Fifth: 1. Many Colours 2. Sun Classique

Sixth: 1. Eu Tambem 2. Rampallion

Seventh: 1. Engrupido 2. Malahem