Horse Racing: Cecil chasing global success

IT TOOK Henry Cecil 40 years to crack America but his Breeders' Cup success has fuelled an international desire and he takes aim at "one of the seven wonders of the world" tonight with Twice Over in the Dubai World Cup (card on Page 18).

Midday provided the ten-times champion trainer with a first win at the American championships last November, a meeting at which Twice Over finished an honourable third behind wonder mare Zenyatta. Gio Ponti was second that day in the Classic and renews rivalry in a 14-strong field at Meydan, Duabi, which contains 11 Grade One winners including Brian Meehan's Crowded House and Marco Botti's Gitano Hernando. Cecil said: "He has travelled very well which is something he didn't do to America. He is an improving horse and seems better than last year. I hope he will be fine on the surface, but this is a challenge and we are going into new territory."