Enjoy it on video: York's Ebor Festival

Last year's Champion Stakes winner has been in scintillating form, with Sandown's crown jewel falling to the Warren Place master last month.

Another tilt at next year's Dubai World Cup, racing's richest race – Twice Over was 10th this year – is on the cards for the maturing five-year-old whose previous triumphs have included an eye-catching victory at Doncaster's St Leger meeting last year.

Cecil is particularly fond of Yorkshire racing. And so, too, are Twice Over and his Breeders Cup heroine Midday who is set to contest the Darley Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday.

The horses (and trainer) enjoy relaxing at the historic Cliff Stud near Helmsley which Cecil owns. This busy Yorkshire stud nurtures his stable's young yearlings and gives a holiday and rest to his racehorses as well as refreshing the ever popular Cecil who has enjoyed a rollercoaster career of success, poor health and resurgent success in his twilight years.

"Both my horses and I love spending time in Cliff Stud and Helmsley. It is a wonderful place for both horses and humans to spend time. The locals are so welcoming and friendly and appreciative of good horses and good racing. My only regret is that I do not spend as much time as I would like at Cliff but I am really looking forward to staying there during Ebor," said Cecil.

"I think Twice Over is a better horse this year and that's a lot to do with his feet – he now has stick-on shoes. I'd love to have another go at the Dubai World Cup with him, but that's up to the powers-that-be."

Twice Over is owned by Khalid Abduallah, the Saudi prince, who is also represented by Prince of Wales's Stakes winner Byword, trained in France by Andre Fabre.

Byword narrowly defeated Twice Over by half a length at Royal Ascot following a memorable battle and Abdullah is keen to add the International to his roll of honour – his Juddmonte Farms breeding operation has sponsored the prestigious contest since 1989, but the powerful owner has failed to see his colours carried to victory.

Abdullah's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe expects little to separate the two horses. "They are both in good form and we are looking forward to what should be another very exciting race," he said.

Cecil has previously won the International with Royal Anthem in 1999 and Wollow in 1976, the latter having been ridden by Frankie Dettori's father Gianfranco.

However Cecil's stable jockey, Tom Queally, is confident Twice Over can record a hat-trick for the trainer in the feature after riding the five-year-old on Cecil's Newmarket gallops yesterday.

"He's certainly as good as he was before Sandown - at the very least. I can't wait and we're going there very hopeful - I really wouldn't want to be riding anything else," Queally, now one of Flat racing's most accomplished riders, told Racing UK.

"Henry has made no secret of his affection for the horse, and I hold Twice Over in the same regard. From the first time I rode him in work, I've been mad about him and he's been a real star for the yard and indeed for me. I owe him a lot.

"He has the temperament of a hunter, is so straightforward and is a lovely, lovely horse. I know Henry would love to try and win the 2011 Dubai World Cup with him, and I'd be delighted if he ran next year."