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Dubai: Godolphin resume their quest to win the Group 1 Darley July Cup when Diabolical runs in today's renewal of the six-furlong contest which is regarded as one of the top sprint races in Europe.
Traditionally horses that previously ran in the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot return to contest this race, which together with the Jubilee Stakes is part of the seven race Global Sprint Challenge series.
Diabolical is one of them and the five-year-old will hope to compensate for a disappointing performance at Royal Ascot where he had only one horse behind him in after weakening quickly in the final furlong.
Godolphin have yet to win the July Cup although they came painfully close two years ago when Iffraaj was beaten a head by Les Arcs.
Diabolical, the winner of the Group 3 Mahab Al Shimaal at Nad Al Sheba in March, is rated a 50/1 chance by English bookmakers but that does not discourage trainer Saeed Bin Surour.
"Diabolical ran disappointingly at Royal Ascot but he has been working well at home and looks fit," he said on the Godolphin website.
"Six furlongs is his best trip and I am looking forward to see him run a good race against some tough opposition."
Strong opposition
Diabolical faces 14 rivals including the first three home in the Golden Jubilee Stakes - Kingsgate Native, War Artist and Sir Gerry and dual French Group 1 winner Marchand D'Or, the 3/1 ante-post favourite.
Frankie Dettori, who was aboard Iffraaj in the 2006 races, takes the ride.
Kingsgate Native was the surprise package at Royal Ascot, winning at odds of 33/1, but is the 7/2 second favourite today.
Prior to joining Godolphin, Diabolical was campaigned in the United States where he won eight times, including wins over six furlongs on dirt in the Grade Two Alfred G Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga a year ago and the Grade Three Emirates Airline Maryland Sprint Handicap at Pimlico in May, 2007.
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