ABU DHABI SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER - CASSIE FAHEY @CASSIE_FAHEY
R1 17:30 – Handicap (0–105) – 2400m
Returning from Group 3 company is SOLE MIO AL MAURY (2) and gets to stretch back out to 2400m, a distance that suits him. He enjoyed an excellent campaign last season and this looks a suitable assignment. RB YAS SIR (1) resumed in good order before finishing 8 lengths off them in the HH President’s Cup Prep. He’s a horse on the fringes of those bigger races and will appreciate the drop back in grade. SINGASONG AL MAURY (9) is an intriguing runner second-up and getting back over ground. He may just be building toward something this preparation and is one to keep a close eye on as the season unfolds. ALGRAIN (3) is worth keeping safe. He found the National Day Cup too strong on UAE debut, but that run should have brought him on. Previously raced in Qatar and Oman and could show improvement with local experience now under his belt.
2 SOLE MIO AL MAURY
1 RB YAS SIR
9 SINGASONG AL MAURY
R2 18:00 – Maiden 3yo Fillies – 1600m
The fillies meet and NAWAAL AW (12) comes out on top after finishing closest to a star trial performer who won impressively on debut. The stable holds her in high regard and she looks well placed to progress. HK AMJAD (9) showed enough on debut to suggest she has ability. She was still finding the line before peaking late over the final furlong. Cheekpieces are replaced by blinkers for her second start, and that change could spark noticeable improvement. OUMAIMA BAYNOUNAH (13) boasts a handy pedigree, with her dam a useful performer and as a half-sister to recent winner RB Frynch Dude. She trialled easily at Jebel Ali last month and, despite drawing the widest gate, is likely to settle back and finish off strongly.
12 NAWAAL AW
9 HK AMJAD
13 OUMAIMA BAYNOUNAH
R3 18:30 – Maiden 3yo Colts & Geldings – 1600m
With the majority of the field making their debut, SENJAR AL SHARQ (14) appeals having benefited from extra schooling. He comes to the races off three trial performances and his trainer operates a boutique stable with just six horses, suggesting a patient and targeted approach. JAP KANAN (8) finished third on debut, beaten 12 lengths by a runaway winner, though there was little separating second and third. Natural improvement is expected second time out. ES DOMAN (5) draws wide for the first time in his career. Having previously been ridden closer to the speed, it will be interesting to see how he handles the turf and if connections opt to settle him back in the running.
14 SENJAR AL SHARQ
8 JAP KANAN
5 ES DOMAN
R4 19:00 – Handicap 0-90 – 1600m
With the three topweights all benefiting from claiming apprentices, they get a big advantage in the weights. ALMOTAWASSIM (3) is a horse I have plenty of time for and he didn’t disappoint when racing last week. He profiles well again and earns top billing. AF MAN’OOT (1) returns to the turf, which should be in his favour. From barrier one, he’s likely to enjoy an economical run, which is important given he’s resuming after almost a year away from the races. TAHHAN AL WATHBA (6) is a consistent runner and is rarely far from the action. Blinkers come off in favour of cheekpieces as he drops back to 1600m after resuming over a longer trip. JAP ABEYA (4) was very handy here last season and is certainly one to keep safe.
3 ALMOTAWASSIM
1 AF MAN’OOT
6 TAHHAN AL WATHBA
R5 19:30 – Handicap 0-75 – 1600m
AL BURHAN MADISON (10) can be a little hit-or-miss, but as a lightly raced 4yo with just five career starts, he’s still learning his trade. He’s only been tried once on turf and performed well, suggesting there may be upside in this surface switch. KHATTAF WRSAN (6) brings winning form after scoring on debut at Sharjah and winning form is always the best form. That said, stepping straight from maiden company into a handicap is challenging. AF HUKOOMA (13) has done most of his racing on dirt, though his turf efforts are very good. He’ll need to overcome the widest draw, but benefits from carrying just 54.5kg thanks to the claiming apprentice. ES HADID (5) enjoyed a stellar campaign last season, so on paper looks the best, having never finished outside the top three. However, all that form came on dirt, leaving a query around his turf credentials.
10 AL BURHAN MADISON
6 KHATTAF WRSAN
13 AF HUKOOMA
R6 20:00 – Thoroughbred Maiden – 1600m
An interesting maiden late in the program, with the verdict narrowly going the way of LA YETAL (8) despite drawing wide, which makes things tricky. He has shown solid form on both dirt and turf and may appreciate stepping up the extra 200m. A tongue tie goes on for the first time, which could unlock further improvement. PANTANI (12) was disappointing on his UAE debut, but it’s exciting to see him return to the turf, where his best form in the UK was recorded. He’s capable of a sharp rebound. GLOBAL VIEW (7) is a first starter for the in form combo of Bhupat Seemar and Tadhg O’Shea, who have been enjoying a strong run of results, with Seemar currently leading the Trainers’ Championship. CHEF DE PARTIE (2) returns to the turf at the same distance where he narrowly missed three starts ago. Antonio Fresu rides this beautiful gelding, that deserves his win.
8 LA YETAL
12 PANTANI
7 GLOBAL VIEW
R7 20:30 – Thoroughbred Handicap 0-80 – 1400m
BREAKDANCER (1) arrives from the UK, having won his last two starts over the summer, he brings strong recent form into his UAE debut. JUMAIRA BAY (3) continues to tease, but he remains in good shape and is racing well. Now an 8YO and the oldest in the field, he still looks strong and is capable of featuring again. From the Bhupat Seemar stable, ROYAL OFFICER (6) is the one Tadhg O’Shea has chosen to ride following a winning UAE debut, while stablemate FALL OF ROME (16) is ultra consistent and, although slightly overlooked, could sneak into the finish.
1 BREAKDANCER
3 JUMAIRA BAY
6 ROYAL OFFICER
Best: R4 ALMOTAWASSIM