Top goes for spin on sand

Even Top was put through his paces at Nad Al Sheba racecourse yesterday as the build-up towards the second running of the pounds 4m Dubai World Cup on 29 March gathered pace.

The Mark Tompkins-trained four-year-old, beaten a short head by Mark Of Esteem in last year's 2,000 Guineas, warmed up under his work-rider, Ross Campbell, over half a mile before working over seven furlongs upsides his lead horse, Time For Action.

"I was satisfied with the work he did and although he was a bit lazy it is a normal thing with him," Campbell said. "He will have a quiet day tomorrow."

Singspiel, the Canadian International and Japan Cup winner, was the first of the European contingent to exercise at Nad Al Sheba earlier in the day. The Michael Stoute-trained son of In The Wings trotted round the course before breezing over a mile.

Sorbie Tower, trained by Gay Kelleway, continued his preparation with a steady canter, while Bijou D'Inde, who contests a conditions race at Nad Al Sheba tomorrow, cantered over six furlongs under his big-race jockey, Jason Weaver, before increasing the pace over the same trip.

His stable-companion Gothenberg had a quiet six-furlong workout.