After a frantic four days of racing last week, the action is solely at Jebel Ali on Friday with seven declared for the featured 1800m conditions race, including Jutland and Farrier, first and second in the same contest last year.
The Doug Watson-trained Jutland was actually reversing form with Satish Seemar’s Farrier from the 2013 renewal when, on both
occasions, the race was actually contested over the same 1950m as the Listed Jebel Ali Stakes.
The slightly shorter trip should not inconvenience either, who are both course and distance winners, especially on their seasonal debuts.
– Meydan: Carnival clues guaranteed with Need to Know heavily fancied
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– Jebel Ali: Sheikh Hamdan charges dominate the card
Watson’s charge last ran in China in April, but has won his last three visits to Jebel Ali, highlighted by his victory in the aforementioned Jebel Ali Stakes in January. Regular jockey Pat Dobbs takes the ride.
Watson said: “He is fit and well but will certainly improve for the run. This is the ideal spot to get him back on the track and conditions obviously suit him. We have to be hopeful of a big run.”
Farrier is seeking a first victory since his defeat of Jutland in this contest two years ago, while his course and distance victory was achieved back in December 2012.
Stable jockey, Richard Mullen, rides and said: “The horses are running well and he seems in good form. It may be a small field but it looks very competitive.”
Stable companion, Mawhub, chased home Jutland in the Jebel Ali Stakes having looked progressive winning twice over Friday’s course and distance in the early part of the season.
Apprentice Hector Crouch, who rode his first UAE winner at Abu Dhabi on Sunday for Seemar, is aboard and claims a valuable 3kgs.
Fourth in this last year was Dormello, not among the original six entries this time but added to the field by his trainer Dhruba Selvaratnam after connections were offered the chance to join the field.
He too has won under these conditions but Selvaratnam sounded cautious: “He missed a bit of work but is fine now. He is certainly going to be better for the run and Jutland will be hard to beat.”
A win in juvenile course record time for #TeamGodolphin @LingfieldPark as Brave Hero takes the maiden.
— Dubai Racing Channel (@DubaiRacingTV) November 25, 2015
Adding to the intrigue is the fact that the remaining trio not only receive weight from the four above, but they all have the benefit of a run already this season.
Sefri, trained by Erwan Charpy, could prove best of this particular trinity.
He is owned by Sheikh Hamdan and to be ridden by retained jockey, Dane O’Neill, as is exciting sprinter Muarrab who faces just three rivals in a 1200m conditions race.
Trained by Musabah Al Muhairi, Muarrab has visited Jebel Ali on eight previous occasions, suffering defeat once, his first course start when seemingly not lasting the 1400m trip.
