Hills puts faith in Maraahel

Dubai World Cup winning jockey Richard Hills believes he has a great chance of winning the world’s richest race on Michael Stoute’s Maraahel this weekend.

Hills landed the 1999 renewal of the $6m (€5m) contest on Almutawakel and will be out to help Stoute, who won the race with his only previous runner Singspiel in 1997, maintain his 100% record.

“Everybody in England knows Maraahel and he is pretty consistent,” said the jockey.

“He has been running in Group Ones for a while now and he is due to win one which is why we have now switched him to the dirt. He’s tough but it’s very competitive.

“The draw always makes a difference though, especially with the European horses, particularly because of the kickback. You want to be drawn in the middle or towards the outside.

“If you’re drawn on the inside you know you are going to get the kickback and it can unnerve some horses,” Hills told At The Races.