The second round of the Al Maktoum Challenge will be run at Meydan on 4th Feb.

And the highlight of this will be the appearance of hot US runner Hot Rod Charlie.  He placed in two of the triple crown races last year and trainer Doug O'Neill has booked William Buick for the ride.  Two of the locals who aim to out run the Hotrod are Everfast from Doug Watson's yard with Pat Dobbs in the irons and Kafoo from Seemars with Tadhg O'Shea on board -= they are both around 11/2 and there are 12 runners.  Winner of the first leg Golden Goal is not in this but Kafoo ran third.

The Balanchine is G2 and the last race on the card – over 1800m for f&m.  Pevensey Bay won the Cape Verdi last time out and should be able to cope with the extra distance here.  Olivier Peslier again in the irons for Hiroo Shimuzu.  4/1 in the UK.  Godolphin have 6 of the starters with the Appleby-Buick Creative Flair on 13/8 and take a pin for the others.

The G3 Firebreak is over 1600m and is another prep for the Godolphin Mile.  Prince Eji is on 15/8 Watson-Atzeni, Tuz 9/4 Seemar-O'Shea and on 6/1 we have Strong Constitution from Doug O'Neill's group with William Buick again on board.

Keep an eye on Chilean runner Ruddy Trigger in the first race – he's very smart but is quoted at 4/5 which isn't terribly appealing.