'Snow' in the Desert?

Godolphin's Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) aims to kick off his 4-year-old season on the right hoof on Thursday, and the winner of the G1 Criterium International at two is the highest-rated horse in the $250,000 G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 at 118, the second group race on the opening day card of the Dubai World Cup Carnival.

A two-time group winner over the Meydan dirt last term, the bay's sophomore highlight was a victory in the G1 Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly in July after an eventful non-effort in the GI Kentucky Derby, and, although running with credit to take third in the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois in August, Thunder Snow was unplaced in his finale in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. on QIPCO British Champions Day. He is joined by fellow Saeed bin Suroor stablemate Confrontation (War Pass), who scooped the 2016 G3 Firebreak S., but was unplaced in his next two runs at Meydan, including in the wake of North America (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) while defending his Firebreak title almost a year ago in February.

“We have given him a nice break since Ascot when the ground was very soft and did not suit him,” said bin Suroor to the Meydan notes team. “He has been working well recently and we are really looking forward to running him on Thursday. We know he likes the Meydan surface, so that is not a concern and we are very happy with him.”

Heavy Metal (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) enjoyed his day in the sun on Super Saturday last March, running out a 6 1/2-length winner of the G3 Burj Nahaar going this distance and he warmed up for this with a victory over track and trip in the Listed Dubai Creek Mile on Dec. 21. Long River (A.P. Indy) finally snagged that elusive Group 1 in the 2017 G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3, the same day Heavy Metal struck in the Burj Nahar for their trainer Salem bin Ghadayer. However, the newly turned 8-year-old ended his 2017 campaign with an 11th behind champion Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) in the G1 Dubai World Cup on Mar. 25 and has not graced the racecourse since.