Key questions as Melbourne Cup hero Cross Counter returns in Dubai Gold Cup

Dubai Gold Cup (Group 2) | 2m | Turf | 3yo+ | RTV

Will Cross Counter be vulnerable against race-fit rivals?

The star attraction in the Dubai Gold Cup is Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter, who runs for the first time since a sensational turn of foot rocketed him to a famous victory at Flemington.

Cross Counter had already shown himself to be a horse of considerable talent by breaking the track record over a mile and a half at Goodwood before finishing a gallant runner-up in a strong renewal of the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York, and his form sets the standard.

He has to take on race-fit rivals on his eagerly anticipated return, but trainer Charlie Appleby is pleased with the signs Cross Counter has been giving at his base in Dubai.

Appleby said: "It's Cross Counter's first start in 2019 but he's wintered well – he went straight from Melbourne to Dubai – and had a nice break.

"We've been building him up from January and the target has always been World Cup night. He's impressed in the last ten days and he's on his A-game."

Cross Counter strides out during exercise at Marmoom stablesCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Dubai Gold Cup is the first of eight qualifiers for the Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers’ Million. A horse successful in a qualifier who wins the Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup and Lonsdale Cup will emulate Stradivarius and scoop the £1 million bonus.

How much more is there to come from Ispolini?

The biggest threat to Cross Counter could come from stablemate Ispolini, who has thrived in Dubai and was a startlingly easy winner of the Nad Al Sheba Trophy over 1m6f last time.

That ten-and-a-half-length success was a career best and Appleby thinks the unexposed four-year-old, who has won two of his three starts since undergoing a gelding operation, could improve further granted this stiffer test of stamina.

He said: "Ispolini is the improver and steps up to two miles for the first time. That could potentially lead to further improvement as he has a stout pedigree."

Can Call The Wind build on his promising comeback?

Call The Wind took a long time to make the track but made up for lost time last season, with his campaign culminating in victory in the Group 1 Prix du Cadran at Longchamp.

That win was achieved over 2m4f, so stamina is a strong suit, but the half-brother to Prix Rothschild winner With You showed he is not short of pace when finishing runner-up over 1m1½f on his comeback at Chantilly.

Trainer Freddy Head said: "He ran a very good race when second over a shorter distance.

"I think he's still improving. He's shown he has plenty of stamina and won the Prix du Cadran very well."

Will globetrotter Prince Of Arran get in the mix again?

Prince Of Arran failed to make an impression in last year's Dubai Gold Cup, when his prospects were hampered by a wide draw, but his reputation has since soared courtesy of his globetrotting exploits.

Success in the Group 3 Lexus Stakes at Flemington was flanked by a pair of third-place finishes in the Herbert Power and Melbourne Cup, and he hasn't been disgraced on his two starts since, the latest of which was an encouraging fourth here earlier in the month.

Trainer Charlie Fellowes said of his stable star: "He ran a lovely prep race and is in good form. It's a weaker race than last year and he has a better draw.

"He's so laidback, doesn't give a stuff about anything and travelling all over the world has been good for him as it keeps him interested."

What the rest say

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Red Galileo and Team Talk
I'm looking forward to seeing how Team Talk gets on over this distance, as I think the step up might suit him. Red Galileo is proven over two miles and has been going well in the staying races this season. I'm hoping for a good run from both horses.

Richard Gibson, trainer of Gold Mount
I think he’ll be very well suited to the distance. Ideally he would have an easier task for his first attempt at two miles to help him find his rhythm at that distance – that could be his biggest challenge, but I’m really pleased with him.

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