Neolithic drawn in Lucky 11

Neolithic will line up in stall 11 when carrying Qatar Racing colours for the first time in today's $10m Gr.1 Dubai World Cup (20.45 local time, 16.45 in UK).

He is two outside Arrogate, who is favourite for the race after running up a sequence of six straight victories, the three most recent in Grade One events. Fourteen horses are expected to line up in the big race, which completes a sumptuously valuable Meydan card.

A share in Neolithic (pictured right during trackwork at Meydan) was purchased earlier this week by Sheikh Fahad, who is now a partner in the Todd Pletcher-trained colt with Starlight Racing. John Valazquez, who has been the horse's regular jockey, and who finished third on him last time out behind Arrogate in the Gr.1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park, is again in the saddle.

After the draw was made, Starlight Racing representative Jack Wolf said: ‚"Lucky 11! The horse looked very good on the track this morning. It's so far so good.

‚"I was told that posts three through eight are where you want to be, but I can't complain about 11. Keen Ice is directly inside and he likely won't be quick away from there. Directly inside him is Arrogate, so we will know where he is immediately.‚"

While the Bob Baffert-trained Arrogate appears the horse to beat the race could become a whitewash for horses trained in the USA. Hoppertunity, also trained by Baffert, won a Grade Two race last time out, and had earlier finished fourth in the Gr.1 Clark Handicap behind the Steve Asmussen-trained Gun Runner, who is also in today's line up.

One potential spoiler to American ambitions is Mubtaahij, trained by South African Mike De Kock the five-year-old had a good prep for the big race when second under top weight in a handicap at Meydan last month. Prior to that he was fourth behind Hoppertunity in a Grade One at Belmont in October.

Picture: Dubai Racing Club/Neville Hopwood