Godolphin are hopeful that Worldly Manner will make it second time lucky in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico tonight (live on Sky Sports 2). Their colt was battling for the lead on the home turn in the Kentucky Derby a fortnight ago, only to fade into seventh place behind Charismatic.

He is reckoned to have come on a good deal for that run, his first since last September, and should benefit from today's half-furlong shorter trip.

Assistant trainer Tom Albertrani said: "He came out of the Derby in great shape and we're confident. The Derby tuned him up a little. Worldly Manner ran a creditable race and we were pleased but he was pulling too hard for his own good. He came out of it great. You can say he will improve off that race."

Sheikh Mohammed will be at Pimlico, in Baltimore, even though his Godolphin organisation are also targeting big prizes in Britain (Lockinge Stakes), France (French 1,000 Guineas and Prix Lupin) and Germany (German 2,000 Guineas) this weekend.

"We have horses running in France, Germany, England and here," Albertrani said. "I'm not sure if Saeed (trainer Bin Suroor) will be here but Sheikh Mohammed will be here."

Worldly Manner faces a rematch with Charismatic in today's $1 million contest, though local oddsmakers rate Churchill Downs runner-up Menifee as favourite to turn the table this time.

A field of 12 will go to post, with Silverbulletday and Vicar scratched since Wednesday's draw.