Quite a few of the 'big guns' who will contest the Dubai World Cup at the end of this month were lined up for this Round 3 of the Group 2 Maktoum Challenge at Meydan Racecourse yesterday.

Once again the pace was fairly sedate and the fractions slow. Settled towards the back of the field, GITANO HERNANDO came through with a great late run which just saw him fail to get 2nd by a nose.

This was a much improved effort from his last run and he looks very competitive again.

Assuming he gets invited to the World Cup now, he should run a great race there and even though Twice Over looks to have his measure he looked asw if the rae yersterday would bring him on and hopefully he can improve further.

I look forward the the end of March ( even though this year I will not be going to the desert to watch him run)