Hills hoping Nayef runs in World Cup

Richard Hills was today hoping to be given the chance to bid for a second Dubai World Cup win on Nayef, whom he reckons has 'a terrific chance' in Saturday`s race.

The jockey is itching to partner the four-year-old in the mile-and-a-quarter event, which he won on Almutawakel three years ago.

But his Champion Stakes-winning mount is also entered in the two-furlong longer Dubai Sheema Classic on the Nad Al Sheba card and owner Hamdan Al Maktoum has yet to finalise running plans.

'I have been riding Nayef all winter, and he has never given me a better feel,' Hills said of the Marcus Tregoning-trained colt.

'I know he would start favourite back home for the Dubai Sheema Classic but I would be a bit worried about a mile and a half first time out. The turf course is riding very spongy, and without a prep-race he might not get home.

'In contrast, I think he has got a terrific chance of winning the big one.

'He has been working the house down, and, though it is totally different ball-game racing on dirt than galloping in the morning, he is a horse who has always had a high cruising speed and that is a major plus in dirt racing.'

'Nayef has developed physically from three to four, and he has a big summer ahead of him in Europe. He`ll be going for all the top races, and what better way to start than by winning the World Cup.

'Almutawakel was a good horse but Nayef has more class. The fact that he is by top American dirt sire Gulch is another bonus, and it would be great if he justified the faith that Marcus and the team have always held in him.'