Dubai World Cup: Thunder Snow's bid for history 'won't be easy' from wide gate

Godolphin's defending champion was handed Gate 12 of 13, and while he did prevail 12 months ago from a similarly wide gate this year’s challenge appears markedly different

Gunnevera: Finished behind Seeking The Soul and Audible in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup on a sloppy surface at the Gulfstream Park in his last start in January. Getty Images

Capezzano: Is in the form of his life having won three races on the trot, including his victory over Thunder Snow by more than nine lengths in the Prep race. Erika Rasmussen for The National

North America: Is on the back of two impressive victories and a Gate 3 draw. If he can get his familiar rail position, will be hard to overtake. Victor Besa/The National

Audible: His most recent start in the Pegasus World Cup wasn’t encouraging but has claims if allowed to have his own way. Rex

Seeking The Soul: His last run was of note when finishing second behind City Of Lights in the Pegasus World Cup. Can run a big race. Rex

Pavel: Fourth in the race 12 months ago and no reason why he shouldn’t give another good account. Getty Images

Gronkowski: Should come from his first start when finishing fifth behind Capezzano in his first start at Meydan. Open to progress. Rex

Axelrod: Wasn’t 100 per cent on his first start at Meydan but will strip fitter for his second start. Alamy

New Trails: Signs of ability but this is harder and will have to produce a career best effort. Reem Mohammed / The National

Yoshida: Beaten favourite in the Pegasus World Cup but plenty of ability. Can play a part in this. Rex

Thunder Snow: Bidding to become the first horse to win the prize twice. Wasn’t given a hard race and major player if he can overcome the wide draw. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dolkong: Ran a creditable third behind Capezzano and Thunder Snow, but has to deal with the widest draw. Rex

Amith Passela's Dubai World Cup predictions: 1. Thunder Snow 2. North America 3 Yoshida. AFP

Saeed bin Suroor has admitted Thunder Snow’s bid to become the first horse to win the Dubai World Cup “won’t be easy” after Godolphin’s defending champion was dealt a wide draw for Saturday’s race.

Thunder Snow was handed Gate 12 of 13 in Wednesday’s draw, and while he did prevail 12 months ago from a similarly wide gate – the widest of 10 – this year’s challenge appears markedly different, with two speedsters closest to the rails, and five American runners perched in the middle.

Capezzano and North America start from Gates 2 and 3 respectively, which is sure to set a strong pace from the outset in the $12 million finale of the nine-race card at Meydan.

“The truth is, it won’t be as easy,” Emirati trainer Bin Suroor said comparing Thunder Snow’s upcoming task to last year’s race. “Last year Christophe (Soumillon) gave him a good ride, pushed him all the way to be close to the rail.

“I hope this can happen again this year. The horse has come back well from his last race and has worked well.”

Thunder Snow wasn’t given a hard race last time out, finishing more than nine lengths behind Capezzano in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3, the trial race on Super Saturday, on March 9.

Soumillon used only hands and heels on that occasion and Bin Suroor added: “If he jumps well and finds a nice position, he'll have a chance to run another big race.”

The 10-time French champion jockey, who was atop Thunder Snow in all his six victories, said the five-year-old performed as expected three weeks ago.

“We knew he was going to need the run so, in the circumstances, he ran well for a long way,” he added. “The three weeks since should have put him spot on and the team are very happy with him.”

Emirati trainer Salem bin Ghadayer is triple handed in the race with Capezzano, Gronkowski and Axelrod.

“Capezzano is in good health and very happy and completely ready for the race,” said the Al Aryam Stables trainer. “Having said that, every horse has a chance in this race. I think it will be a fast-paced race with the front runners taking it on.

“Horses like Gronkowski and Axelrod like to pass other horses and they are ready for the race so we are really looking forward to it.”

Satish Seemar, the trainer of North America, was counting the days for the race to unfold.

“We’ve just got to wait for the hours to pass until Saturday,” said the Zabeel Stables trainer.

“I’m keeping a lid on everything because last year didn’t work out but I am thinking positively going into the race. It looks an open race.”

The American challenge consists of Seeking The Soul, Yoshida, Audible, Pavel and Gunnevera.

Pavel and Gunnevera are returning to have a second crack at the prize, having finished fourth and eighth respectively in past years.

Completing the line-up are Ahmad bin Harmash’s New Trails, Japan’s K T Brave and Dolkong representing South Korea.