Ed Marnane
Six days after bagging a Group 2 double with Meydaan and Quddwah at Meydan, leading UAE owner Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum returns to Dubai’s iconic track chasing another major prize with two runners – Elnajmm and Marbaan – in the Ras Al Khor, the Group 3 highlight of Friday’s bumper eight-race card.
Andrew Slattery-ridden Elnajmm, trained by Michael Costa at Jebel Ali Racecourse, caused a big shock when winning the Al Fahidi Fort (Group 2), over the same course and distance last month, on his first start in nearly 11 months. Nicely drawn in stall No 3, Elnajmm holds leading claims and has the services of the red-hot Ray Dawson, who has ridden five winners in the past fortnight.
Last year’s winner Marbaan, the mount of Silvestre de Sousa, is back to defend his title and should be thereabouts, as he ran well in defeat from a poor draw in the aforementioned Al Fahidi Fort.
He had a tough, wide trip and in the circumstances to finish less than three lengths behind his stable companion was an effort that deserves to be upgraded.
Wathnan Racing, the Qatar-based owners, are enjoying a very successful season in the Emirates and are represented by progressive English Oak, winner of his last two starts, both handicaps, for trainer Hamad Al Jehani.
He possesses an electric turn of foot and holds decent claims, especially jumping from a favourable No 5 gate.
Charlie Appleby saddles Mysterious Night, a beaten favourite in the Al Fahidi Fort. The Godolphin-owned homebred, a two-time winner at Meydan, is one to consider in an open-looking event under William Buick.
Surprisingly, Appleby hasn’t dominated like he has in previous seasons and his horses are operating at a near 17% strike-rate this winter, which is lower than recent years.
Musabbeh Al Mheiri has booked Tadhg O’Shea, the former champion, to ride Khanjar, the Shadwell-owned gelding. By Kodiac, he is a versatile type and can boast winning form on both turf and dirt at Meydan.
He finished third in last year’s Ras Al Khor and comes in winning form, having triumphed in a competitive 11-runner handicap on dirt at this course last month. Khanjar is a tough sort and is one to consider at decent odds stepping up in grade and switching to turf.
Race 7, the Next Mile, for three-year-olds on dirt, has drawn a field of 12. Bhupat Seemar has two runners and Russian import Magic Art brings recent winning form (made all), over the track, and is a major player.
He stepped up on a pleasing local debut when defeating Raasil and nine others to open his account at the third time of asking. He will be tough to beat under O’Shea.
Miss Yechance, the highest rated runner in the field, has been running well in defeat against her elders in decent sprints on turf.
She won’t be hindered switching to dirt and her only start on the surface she was a close second behind subsequent UAE 2000 Guineas winner Six Speed. The Irish-bred daughter of Cotai Glory, a confirmed front-runner, is expected to lead and could be hard to catch.
Seemar and O’Shea team up with the unexposed Al Amir in Race 5, the 2200m handicap on dirt, in which progressive Arlan, trained by Doug Watson, will be popular and have plenty of support.
Arlan has thrived this season, racking up two wins at Jebel Ali before narrowly beaten on his Group 3 debut in the Jebel Ali Stakes.
Arlan has a poor record at Meydan, not threatening in four previous appearances, which is an obvious concern. He must defy a career-high mark and at short odds, he doesn’t appeal.
Al Amir, who began his career in Russia before joining Seemar, is entitled to step forward for his local debut after a 160-day absence last month and will appreciate going up in trip.
Earlier on the card the lightly raced Masai Moon, trained by Appleby for Godolphin, looks the answer in Race 3, the 1900m handicap on turf. Winner of two of his six races, he shaped nicely behind Dividend, taking a step forward on his fourth on his UAE debut in December.
The winner gave the form a timely boost when splitting Quddwah and Holloway Boy in the Singspiel Stakes (Group 2) on ‘Super Saturday’.
Top weight Native American, a winner over the track, heads the list of dangers on the back of a good run in a valuable event on Saudi Cup weekend. Godolphin’s second runner Emperor’s Star returns after a short break and if he improves for his second behind Silver Sword, he should be in the mix under veteran rider Richard Mullen.
The card opens with a competitive 16-runner handicap on dirt, over a distance of 1400m. Bhupat Seemar’s Muzaahim is thriving and registered his second win of his career, thanks to his recent victory over the track. He is unbeaten at Meydan and should go well.
Best Bet: Race 7 No 3 Magic Art
Best Value: Race 4 No 8 Haasim
Best Swinger: Race 7 3-Magic Art and 2-Ishtiah
JACKPOT
(Races 4-7)
R96
Leg 1: 2, 8, 10, 11
Leg 2: 3, 6, 7, 9
Leg 3: 1, 5, 12
Leg 4: 2, 3