Multi-titled Ibarra and comebacking Go Army head a tough cast of horses running in the 15th Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office-First Gentleman’s Silver Cup on Sunday at the San Lazaro Leisure Park.

To be handled again by jockey of the year Jesse Guce, Ibarra is expected to set out as top favorite in the long 2000-meter race since he’s coming off a runaway victory in the equally prestigious Commissioner’s Cup last month.

But it’s not going to be easy this time for the pride and joy of Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos because Ibarra has a dangerous rival in Go Army, the former juvenile standout who is returning from a minor leg injury.

Four other tested campaigners — Alamid, ididitmyway, Shining Fame and Hieroglyphics — round out the field in the afternoon race that offers P1.1 million to the champion and P350,000 and P175,000 to the runner-up and third placer, respectively.

Ibarra is one of the few dominant horses to grace the racing scene in the last five years. He is best remembered for winning the first two legs of the 2007 Triple Crown before a leg injury kept him out of the third jewel, spoiling his bid to become the first horse in a long time to sweep the series.

In his last big race, Ibarra, setting out as a far second favorite, humbled Hieroglyphics, reigning horse of the year Don Enrico and Shining Fame in the Commissioner’s Cup disputed over 1900 meters at the same track on March 13.