Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor is looking for a good run from Estihdaaf as he bids to win the UAE 2,000 Guineas for a record seventh time at Meydan on Thursday.
Estihdaaf shaped well on his second start in the space of a fortnight last month when staying-on well to get within half a length of the winner Manguzi.
As this contest is over a mile compared to nine and a half furlongs last time, Estihdaaf is set to race more prominently.
“Estihdaaf finished strongly in the Al Bastakiya Trial and looks to have improved for that run,” he told www.godolphin.com.
“I would like to see him race handy in the UAE 2000 Guineas.
“He is in good form at the moment, although this will be a tough contest for him.”
Simon Crisford, formerly Godolphin’s racing manager, is represented by Sporting Chance, who was third in the Meydan Classic Trial a week ago.
North America, impressive winner of round one of the Maktoum Challenge last month, faces just the five rivals in the second round in which Godolphin are without a runner.
