Wigmore Hall and Al Zir will lock horns in what is an intriguing Wilson Field Neurocare Conditions Stakes at Doncaster tomorrow.
Michael Bell's Wigmore Hall arrives on the back of a superb second in the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park last month and the trainer reports his charge to have taken those exertions in his stride.
"It wasn't my intention to run him again so quickly but he's come back from America jumping and squealing. It will be interesting to see how he gets on on this slower ground, for future reference," said Bell.
"Bearing in mind he's a gelding and we're not trying to build up a stallion profile for him, this looks a good opportunity for him. It fits in nicely with a view to a potential run in the Champion Stakes as well.
"We're going to run him because we really want to see how he handles the ground. It will either close a few doors in the future or keep a few doors open, so it makes sense to run him."
Saeed bin Suroor's Al Zir has been off the track since finishing a creditable sixth in the Derby at Epsom in June.
Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: "It looks a very good race and he has been off since the Derby. While we hope he'll run a nice race, he'll definitely improve for it. It's a good starting point for him and 10 furlongs is his trip.
"I'm not too worried about the weather as it's really just a question of getting the horse back on the track. There's very few races available for horses like this and we need to get a run into him. He's had a good rest and will need the run."
While Wigmore Hall and Al Zir take top billing, other interesting contenders in the seven-runner contest include Black Spirit and Taameer, the latter due to make his first start in over 500 days.
