When experience matters

Cape Blanco takes the highest rating into the World Cup, having produced Globeform 124 when running away with the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) last September. He had previously landed the Irish Derby (G1) — beating Midas Touch — but outclassing top older horses in the Champion represented even better form.

Cape Blanco may have ‘stolen the race' somewhat as he went off in front and soon held a clear lead, though he was setting a good pace, and he kept on really strongly in the straight. Rip Van Winkle got closest to him, but not very close — he was beaten by 5½ lengths. Twice Over, who had been second to Rip Van Winkle in the International Stakes (G1) in England, was a nose behind him in third this day. A day that truly belonged to Cape Blanco, one of the best three-year-olds in Europe last season.

He went for the ‘Arc' in Paris after this but a combination of soft ground and added distance meant that he could not show his best — he finished unplaced, beaten around 20 lengths. Dubai-based Fitri Hay purchased a share in Cape Blanco this winter, and thus has an interest in one of the leading contenders. The World Cup distance is perfect for him and Cape Blanco's running style should make him suited to Meydan, though he has yet to race on anything but turf.

Globeform: 124

Twice Over impressed in the Al Maktoum Challenge III (G2) on Super Thursday, beating Musir and Gitano Hernando over the World Cup distance. He passed the winning post 2¾ lengths in front of his two nearest pursuers, who were just a nose apart in their battle for second.

Twice Over ran in last year's World Cup, when he could finish only tenth after being compromised by the slow pace. He likes it best when they go quick early. He has never raced beyond 2,000 metres, though gives the impression he might stay further. That said, he was speedy enough to beat that year's Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Raven's Pass over a mile as a three-year-old, and he was one of the best over the World Cup distance in Europe last season.

Twice Over took both the Eclipse Stakes (G1) at Sandown and the Champion Stakes (G1) at Newmarket, winning the latter for a second time. He is six years old now, but his win at Meydan three weeks ago proves that he is as good as ever. A big, strong sort, he could even improve again this term — and Twice Over is certainly in with a winning chance.

Globeform: 123

Gio Ponti, North America's turf champion, took fourth in the World Cup last year, when he found the early pace a bit too slow for his liking. Twice Over was 1½ lengths behind in him in tenth place. Gio Ponti and Twice Over also met in 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), where the mighty Zenyatta won.

Gio Ponti grabbed second, with Twice Over 1¼ lengths behind in third. Gio Ponti raced six times in the US last year, with two wins at G1 level; in the Man o'War Stakes over 2,200 metres at Belmont and the Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland. His end of season target was the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) at Churchill Downs, where Gio Ponti put up yet another high class performance.

Only the fantastic Goldikova, winning the race for the third time, beat him and Gio Ponti had six previous G1 winners behind. He has not raced since. A near five-month break from racing may not be ideal, but Gio Ponti certainly has both the class and experience it takes to make an impact.

Globeform: 122

Poet's Voice sprang a surprise when winning the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) at Ascot last September. Amongst his rivals were top class performers Rip Van Winkle and Makfi. Rip Van Winkle had won the race in 2009 and he ran another fine race, but Poet's Voice got the better of him to win by a nose.

It was a fourth career win for the son of Dubawi, and the performance set him up for a crack at the Champion Stakes (G1) at Newmarket, but finished second last there, 11 lengths behind Twice Over. That was to be his last outing of 2010 and Poet's Voice returned to action at Meydan on Super Thursday, when he ran a good second to Wigmore Hall in the Jebel Hatta (G2). Having gained his four wins in England at four different tracks, it was no surprise to see Poet's Voice run so well over Meydan's turf course.

Globeform: 119p

Buena Vista, second to Dar Re Mi in the Sheema Classic (G1) 12 months ago, was first past the post in last year's Japan Cup (G1), but demoted to second place by the stewards for having caused interference to Rose Kingdom. Fellow World Cup contender Victoire Pisa took third. Buena Vista was the best on merit as she won by 1¾ lengths.

Victoire Pisa got the better of her when they met again in the Arima Kinen (G1) over 2,500 metres at Nakayama in December. After a tremendous battle he beat Buena Vista by a nose. Buena Vista thus rounded 2010 off with two disappointments but overall her record is excellent. Above all, she is a game and consistent runner.

Buena Vista won the Victoria Mile (G1) over 1,600 metres in May and the Tenno Sho (G1) over 2,000 metres in October, and her versatility is another great asset. It is rare for a horse to be equally effective over such a variety distances.

Globeform: 120

Victoire Pisa is one of the few to have beaten Buena Vista in Japan. He is a young and improving runner, who could well spring a surprise. This four-year-old has won his last two starts, the most recent with some ease, he combines speed and stamina, and there is a lot to like about him. He won for the seventh time when landing the Nakayama Kinen (G2) over 1,800 metres a month ago.

Last year he was sent to France, where he managed fourth in the Prix Niel (G2) before finishing seventh in the Prix de l'Arc (G1). His third to Buena Vista in the Japan Cup (G1), and narrow win over the same rival in the Arima Kinen (G1), marked improved form, and there is probably more to come from this colt.

Globeform: 120p

Fly Down, a North American four-year-old, progressed well throughout 2010 and his last race of the year was his best, as he finished third behind Blame and Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs in Kentucky. Doing best of the three-year-olds, he confirmed his place among the elite. He is now a bit of a ‘dark horse' for the World Cup.

He produced another excellent performance when beaten just a nose by Afleet Express in the Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga last summer, and Fly Down is a likely improver this year. He opened the season by running below par in the Donn Handicap (G1) at Gulfstream Park in February, but clearly needed that race after the winter break and he will be a lot sharper this week.

Globeform: 122

Golden Sword was switched from the Sheema Classic to the World Cup when his stable companion Bold Silvano was ruled out of the big race on Monday. He gained a smooth success over the World Cup trip in February, beating Deem by 2 ¾ lengths.

As a three-year-old, Golden Sword ran second to Fame And Glory in the Irish Derby (G1), having previously been fifth to Sea The Star in the Epsom Derby (G1). Now five, he has improved with every run this winter, and seems back to something like his best.

Globeform: 118

Worth knowing...

The first three home in last year's Dubai World Cup had all raced at least twice at Meydan earlier in the year.