This year's race is a strong renewal; eight of the 13 runners are rated above 110 and Suny Du Loup, rated 118, gets the vote to follow up his recent win in a minor event at the track.
Trained by Hamad Al Marar, he overcame an awkward draw to record his third win at Abu Dhabi on his first start in seven months. The six-year-old French-bred Arabian is entitled to be sharper for the run and is the horse to beat.
Smart Arabian First Class, a useful performer who can boast Group 1 form in Europe, returns to Doug Watson after a stint in the UK with James Owen. He made one start for the Newmarket-based handler, finishing a poor eighth in the Group 1 Qatar Arabian World Cup last month. He looked unhappy on the soft ground at Longchamp and trailed in a long way behind the brilliant Al Ghadeer.
First Class will enjoy the quicker ground at Abu Dhabi and won't lack for fitness. He warrants respect dropping in class over a track he enjoyed his biggest success when winning the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown two years ago.
Majed Al Jahoori-trained Ajrad Athbah, rated 119, has to be high on any shortlist. He made an encouraging comeback when narrowly beaten by Suny Du Loup at this track last month, staying on nicely in the closing stages. He should strip fitter for the run and holds sound claims of going one place better over a track he rarely runs a poor race.
Bu hikaye The Citizen dergisinin November 15, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Citizen dergisinin November 15, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Plenty on the line in Tests
With so much on the line in the Test series starting on Thursday, the Proteas can be forgiven for losing to Pakistan in the ODI series last week, but only if they deliver in the five-day campaign.
BUCS TO BOUNCE BACK?
PREMIERSHIP: RIVEIRO LOOKS TO PIRATES TO GET BACK TO WINNING WAYS
'Beaten Proteas can fight for title'
Despite falling in a 3-0 defeat to Pakistan in their ODI series which concluded on Sunday, Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter remains confident his squad can put up a fight for the title at next year's Champions Trophy tournament.
'Joshua bout only fight left for Fury'
Tyson Fury has been told the \"only fight\" left for him after his points decision defeat in a world heavyweight boxing title bout with champion Oleksandr Usyk is an all-British clash against Anthony Joshua.
Sharks brace for Stormers
Sharks head coach John Plumtree (above) said the Stormers will target the same three areas the Bulls did in their United Rugby Championship (URC) game at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
Jacobs gets Black Caps call-up
Hard-hitting New Zealand batsman Bevon Jacobs earned a maiden call-up yesterday for their T20 series against Sri Lanka, which marks the start of Mitchell Santner's tenure as white-ball captain.
Coach change was a subtle one
LUNGA: COMMUNICATION THE KEY WHEN THIS HAPPENS
Amorim: Utd we 'nervous'
Manchester - Manchester United crashed to a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday as Ruben Amorim (above) admitted his \"nervous\" team would have to \"suffer\" before they can get back on track.
Enzo happy despite losing ground
Liverpool manager Enzo Maresca insisted he was \"absolutely happy\" despite his side losing ground in the Premier League title race following a goalless draw away to Everton on Sunday.
Liverpool need to keep pushing
SLOT: TABLE-TOPPING REDS MUST KEEP FOOT ON THE GAS