Vision D'Etat could miss Dubai World Cup

Vision D'Etat, the 4-1 favourite for tomorrow's $10million Dubai World Cup, could miss the Group One race because of fears over his fitness.

The concerns emerged for the first time publicly this lunchtime when the Dubai Racing Club issued a statement over the Eric Libaud-trained colt, who won the Hong Kong Cup in December and lifted 2008 French Derby.

It read: "The horse has been examined by the Emirates Racing Authority vets and another examination will take place tomorrow morning in regard to the horse's fitness to race."

There was no immediate indication about the nature of the problem and his absence would leave the Henry Cecil-trained Twice Over, winner of last season's Champion Stakes, as favourite for the Meydan race (5.45pm).

At Doncaster, the William Hill Lincoln Handicap - the traditional opener to the British Flat Season - is the big betting race of the day.

The first three home in last year's straight mile contest were drawn in single figures but since the track was re-laid three years ago it is hard to be confident about any bias.