Cecil bullish about Twice

Henry Cecil has high hopes Coral-Eclipse winner Twice Over can put on a dazzling show in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York.

Last year's Champion Stakes winner has been in scintillating form since returning from America, with Sandown's crown jewel falling to the Warren Place master last month.

"I think he's a better horse this year and that's a lot to do with his feet - he now has stick-on shoes," said Cecil.

"I'd love to go for the Champion Stakes and I'd love to have another go at the Dubai World Cup with him, but that's up to the powers that be."

Khalid Abdullah's hand is strengthened by Prince of Wales's Stakes winner Byword, who defeated Twice Over by half a length at Ascot in June.

Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms breeding operation has sponsored the prestigious contest since 1989, but the powerful owner has failed to see his colours carried to victory.

There was not much between Twice Over and the Andre Fabre-trained Byword at Ascot, and Abdullah's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe expects that to be the case again.

"They are both in good form and we are looking forward to what should be another very exciting race," said Grimthorpe.

"It was some spectacle at Ascot and seeing them run against each other again will be some thrill."

Richard Hannon feels conditions will be ideal for Dick Turpin, who was supplemented for the race.

"He enjoys a bit of cut, and they have had 12.4 millimetres of rain at the Knavesmire since Thursday, which has removed any firm bits from the going report" said Hannon.

"It was very sporting of John Manley to stump up the £50,000 to supplement him and if we are going to dip our toes in the water at a mile and a quarter it might as well be for a Group One.

"Obviously, there are doubts about him staying on pedigree, but Hughesie (Richard Hughes) reckons that they were beaten for speed in the French 2000 Guineas and he will be ridden more conservatively here," the East Everleigh handler told his website, www.richardhannonracing.tv.

Godolphin run Cavalryman and Cutlass Bay, both previously trained by Andre Fabre in France.

Frankie Dettori, who missed out on a Group One winner in Germany on Sunday due to travel problems, has picked Cavalryman, but Cutlass Bay, the mount of Kieren Fallon, is shorter in the betting with some bookmakers.

Both are looking to bounce back from lacklustre showings on their previous outings, but trainer Saeed bin Suroor has been encouraged by what he has seen at home.

"They were both disappointing last time out but they are both very well now, they are working well," said Bin Suroor.

"It's a tough race but the horses are in the right race, over the right distance and we are looking to see big runs from them.

"Cutlass Bay only came to me in May but we've had him long enough now to know him well.

"He was very good in France and we expected him to run well in Ireland against Fame And Glory but I think the ground was too fast for him that day - it was very quick. Good or good to soft is better for him.

"Cavalryman ran very well at Epsom in the Coronation Cup but wasn't right after Ascot."