Dubai: Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Surour believes that Jalil has a sporting best chance of beating Horse of the Year Curlin in Saturday's Dubai World Cup (Gr 1).
Speaking at the stable's headquarters in Al Quoz yesterday the trainer said: "I have a lot of respect for Curlin. He is a star and you could say he is the best horse in the race coming from America.
"But Jalil is getting better with every race, and he has climbed from a 95 horse to a 118-rated performer.
"He has adapted well to the dirt and has matured so much that I honestly think he has a sporting chance of beating Curlin."
Jalil was snapped up by Godolphin for a staggering $9.7 million as a yearling but he failed to live up to expensive price tag when he ran on the turf in Britain.
However, the son of Storm Cat proved to be a revelation when switched to the dirt at Nad Al Sheba and has been improving with every run.
His victory in the third round of the Maktoum Challenge (Gr 2) put him in the World Cup picture.
