Ed Marnane
The return of smart HM Alchahine headlines the seven-race card at Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Trained by Helal Alalawi and owned by the National Stables, the French-bred HM Alchahine emerged an exciting talent in the Arabian division last season when enjoying a flawless campaign, winning all his four starts at Abu Dhabi.
The highlight of a stellar season was his resounding victory in the Abu Dhabi Championship (Listed), over 1600m, in January. Rated 119, HM Alchahine steps up to 2200m on his first run since March and must concede weight to his seven rivals in the AED 66,000 (R325,000) event in the hands of Adrie de Vries.
It’s hard to see HM Alchahine getting beaten and he is expected to start his season on a winning note and take his career tally to five.
In the finale, the 1600m conditions race, French recruit Bad Desire, rated 100, sets the standard on his UAE debut for champion trainer Bhupat Seemar. By the leading sire Wootton Bassett, he was an expensive purchase by his new owner Omar Esmil Ghrgharat the Tattersalls July Sale and if primed and ready off his three-month break, he holds obvious claims of finally opening his account.
Musabbeh Al Mheiri introduces Irish import Shepperton Lodge. The son of Lope de Vega, who began his career with Joseph O’Brien, was also sourced at Tattersalls July Sale and showed promise at the Curragh in June.
He shaped nicely in a decent maiden and from an in-form stable is one to consider. He’s open to plenty of improvement on just the second run of his career.
Michael Costa, the season’s top trainer, is represented by Yotarid and Tabdeel, the choice of Ben Coen and winner on his racecourse debut at Abu Dhabi last month. He was a comfortable winner but it was a weak maiden and he will need to raise his game in stronger company.
Ray Dawson is booked to ride the well-bred Yotarid, who is having his first start on turf. The Shamardal gelding overcame a two-year absence when winning recently at Jebel Ali, defeating Split The Profit and Menhaad in a close finish. He showed a likeable attitude and found plenty for pressure.
However, the runner-up let the form down when soundly beaten at Jebel Ali last Saturday. Stepping up in class Yotarid has to find plenty of improvement to follow up.
Thirty minutes earlier Costa and Coen team up with Keffaaf in Race 6, the 2200m handicap. He is taken to build on his encouraging comeback at the track last month and register his second victory over the course and distance.
He made late headway to finish a good third behind the enterprisingly ridden winner Monaadah in a mile handicap, shaping as he would relish the step up in distance. He’s very unexposed and is nicely drawn.
It would be foolish to ignore the claims of Asaassi, Costa’s second runner. He won’t lack for fitness having his third run of the season, while stepping up in trip to 2200m from 1600m is positive, being by the German Derby winner Sea The Moon out of a Montjeu mare.
Ismail Mohammed-trained Ahesta Bero arrives in good heart, winning a handicap over the course and distance, on his seasonal debut. He narrowly prevailed when denying the reopposing Stormy Ocean in a driving finish. Ahesta Bero may struggle to uphold the form and Ahmad bin Harmash’s gelding is fancied to turn the tables and should be in the mix in a race few appeal.
Tadhg O’Shea and Ernst Oertel can win the opening race, a 1400m handicap for Arabians, rated 0-70, with AF Mathakeel. Returning after her summer break, the daughter of Af Albahar made solid comeback, just failing to see off the late challenge of her stable companion AF Sail.
In Race 2, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami holds a strong hand in the 1600m conditions race for three-year-old Arabians, saddling three of the eight runners. Of the trio, Zephyr makes most appeal.
Connor Beasley’s mount confirmed the promise of his barrier trial at Meydan when winning on his racecourse debut at Al Ain three weeks ago. He looks a nice prospect and has more to offer.
Best Bet: Race 2 No 2 Zephyr
Best Value: Race 6 No 5 Asaassi
Best Swinger: Race 6: 2 Keffaaf and 5 Asaassi
JACKPOT
(Races 4 to 7)
R36
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 7
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 2, 4, 5
Leg 4: 5, 13, 14