Saturday night fever for the Al Maktoum Challenge

Dubai Although past records will reveal that the third round of the Al Maktoum Challenge (G1) has not quite lived up to its status as a trial for the $10 million (Dh36.7 million) Dubai World Cup (G1), the connections of several contenders in Saturday\'s 18th running of the 2,000-metre contest will nonetheless be dreaming of big-race glory when the gates fly open at Meydan racecourse. History tells us that only three horses, Dubai Millennium (2000), Street Cry (2002) and Electrocutionist (2008), have completed the double, but that does not discourage people from believing that the winner will have genuine claims of landing the Meydan showpiece on March 31. One heartening detail about the final leg of the Al Maktoum Challenge series is that it is run over the same course and distance as the World Cup and as such allows connections to get one final look into what might be, come the big race itself. Godolphin has successfully used this race as a stepping stone to the World Cup and quite predictably accounts for five of the 14 runners, between its two handlers, Saeed Bin Surour and Mahmoud Al Zarouni. The former, who is looking for a ninth success in the Al Maktoum Challenge Rd 3, and the first since Jalil in 2008, saddles two leading contenders, Prince Bishop and Mendip, along with the promising Spring Of Fame. Al Zarouni is yet to win this race but is pinning his hopes on Monterosso, who was an eye-catching third in last year\'s Dubai World Cup, and the rapidly improving Capponi. The Godolphin quintet face some major challengers, led by South African Grade One winner Bold Silvano and dual British Group Three victor Green Destiny. Assessing his chances Bin Surour said: \"All three are nice horses and deserve their chance; Mendip won well last time and he came out of that race in great form. This looks a better race than the second round but he is in good form at the moment and I am hopeful that he can run another nice race. \"Prince Bishop has been working very well and really impressed us when winning on his seasonal return. We are hoping he can run well but again this is a good race. Spring Of Fame is a tough horse who always tries his hardest. We need to give him a chance in a big race like this and see how he gets on.\" Al Zarouni responded: \"Monterosso\'s target has always been the Dubai World Cup and this is the obvious prep for him. He will almost certainly need the run as we want him spot on in three weeks time for the big race. \"Capponi has shown that he is an improving horse this year and there are no other options for him. I wanted to take a chance with him in a Group race and see how he gets on.\" South African handler Mike de Kock has tasted success in this race twice before with Asiatic Boy (2009) and Victory Moon (2004) and saddles Bold Silvano and Irish Flame. The trainer said: \"Irish Flame just does not seem to act on the Meydan turf so we are trying him on [the all-weather]. Bold Silvano we have always considered a [Dubai] World Cup horse and that has been his target all along.\" Working well Two-time UAE champion trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe has sent out 38 winners from his Millennium Stables this season and by that benchmark Al Shemali, who was sixth in this race in 2010 before winning the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free, must be respected. The Emirati handler admits that his star has a lot to find on form, but is nevertheless hoping for a big run from him tonight. \"He hasn\'t run all that badly this season, but he needs to improve if he hopes to be competitive in the race. He\'s working well so we\'re hopeful that he can spring a surprise.\" Treble Jig, winner of both the Listed Jebel Ali Stakes and Jebel Ali Mile, takes a big step up in class, while Saudi Arabia\'s Fly Down and Herman Brown\'s Green Destiny add considerable depth to a what is undoubtedly a very high-quality contest.