Today is one of the biggest meetings of the season at Abu Dhabi and HH The President Cup Day with the 2200m Group 1 Purebred Arabian version worth a staggering Dh 3million this year.
– #Quiz360: WIN dinner for 2 at Jumeira Rotana, Dubai
A full field of 16 has been declared and a case can be made for most of them. Areem, a multiple Group One winner for Majed Al Jahouri and Sheikh Mansour would be the one to beat on last season’s form.
However, he has not fired so far in this campaign and the 2200m trip has to be a big question mark.
Stable companion Thakif is another doubtful stayer, but – if he can prove his stamina – has the ability to run a big race under Harry Bentley with the pair having beaten Areem in the 1600m National Day Cup on their most recent start.
The course and distance trial two weeks ago was won by the Salem Al Ketbi-trained Abu Alabyad who made every yard of the running under an inspired Adrie De Vries, denying stable companion Skoop and Tadhg O’Shea.
Versac PY, trained by Erwan Charpy was third in the trial and certainly cannot be discounted under Paul Hanagan.
The Thoroughbred version carries Listed status and is over 1400m. Last year’s winner and runner-up, Nawwaar and Yaa Wayl, clash again.
However, the most interesting runner has to be Johann Strauss, one of two runners in the race for South African Mike De Kock.
Pat Dobbs takes the ride on the 4yo, not seen on a racecourse since an excellent fourth in the Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas when trained by Aidan O’Brien.
