Cape Blanco a real contenderfor the top prize

Dubai: Cape Blanco takes the highest Globeform rating into this year's Dubai World Cup, having produced GF 124 when running away with the Group One Irish Champion Stakes last September.

The Aidan O'Brien trained colt had previously won the Group Two Dante Stakes at York in England and the Irish Derby (Group One) at The Curragh — beating Midas Touch over a mile-and-a-half — but outclassing top older horses in the ten-furlong Irish Champion Stakes showed even better.

He turned what ought to have been a competitive affair into a procession and was visually stunning.

Cape Blanco stole the race somewhat as he went off in front and soon held a clear lead and he kept on really strongly in the straight. Rip Van Winkle got closest but was outside five lengths.

Twice Over, who had been second to Rip Van Winkle in the International Stakes (Group One) in England, was only a nose behind him in third on a day that truly belonged to Cape Blanco, one of the best three-year-olds in Europe last season.

He went for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Group One) in Paris in October but a combination of soft ground and added distance may have contributed to a dull performance at Longchamp — he finished unplaced, around 20 lengths behind winner Workforce.

Bad shipper

One point worth making is that Cape Blanco ran way below form also when sent across to France for the Prix du Jockey Club (Group One) - the French Derby - at Chantilly back in June, and it was suggested at the time that he had travelled badly across from Ireland.

If he is a bad shipper, then that must be a worry as he goes for the World Cup on his seasonal debut. Dubai-based Fitri Hay recently purchased a share in Cape Blanco. The World Cup distance is perfect for him and his prominent running style should make him suited to Meydan.

The writer is editor of www.globeform.com