Benbatl is the star attraction at Meydan on Thursday when he makes the surprising switch to dirt in Round Two of the Al Maktoum Challenge.

A high-class miler on grass who claimed the Group One Dubai Turf at this meeting in 2018, Benbatl showcased all his old ability when trouncing a smart field in the Joel Stakes at Newmarket as recently as September before running out a similarly impressive victor when reappearing in Group Two company here a month ago.

Boasting an official of rating of 125, he will line up rated 5lb higher than former Jeremy Noseda-trained Gronkowski, with Kimbear the third-highest rated runner in the field with a mark of only 113.

Nevertheless, the switch to dirt will be a completely different test for Benbatl, particularly on such a demanding synthetic track at Meydan, though the fact he is a perennial fast starter who generally likes to make the running should be to his advantage.

It is worth remembering that trainer Saeed bin Suroor has overseen the brilliant dirt career enjoyed by Thunder Snow - himself a smart turf performer before switching surfaces - and with that in mind, there is every chance Benbatl could himself prove to be a success story on the dirt.