Racing: Dettori set for Cup ride with Valixir

SINGAPORE - Frankie Dettori rides Valixir in the S$3 million ($3.08 million) Singapore International Cup tomorrow, but the Godolphin-trained horse faces a host of top-class challengers.

Valixir, an Irish-bred 5-year-old, has disappointed in recent outings. The winner of the Queen Anne Stakes last year at York, England, has looked irritable since arriving in Singapore but will be hard to beat if he recaptures his Royal Ascot form, and the 2000m distance may be to his liking.

"We have been disappointed with his performances so far this year but we need to give him another chance," said trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

Valixir has drawn seven, the same post from which Dettori won the race in 2002 on Godolphin's Grandera.

Valixir has no shortage of challengers, with Irish-bred Falstaff, stablemate to Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner Iridescence, looking a real threat.

Japanese raider Cosmo Bulk and Saudi Arabia's Chiquitin, who ran second behind eventual Dubai World Cup winner Electrocutionist in a group two race in March, are the other main dangers.

- REUTERS