Stage set for Thursday Dubai action
Clive Brittain’s Kandidate and Robbie Osborne’s Latino Magic head the English and Irish challenge in Thursday night’s Group Two Al Fahidi Fort over a mile on the Nad Al Sheba grass.
Brittain’s charge, a course-and-distance handicap winner on the opening night of the Carnival, has since been beaten twice, but is at least proven under the conditions and should go well for Ryan Moore.
Frankie Dettori retains the ride on Osborne’s horse, on whom he was a somewhat unfortunate third in the Group Three Al Rashidiya last time.
That race was won by Herman Brown’s Linngari who reopposes – with Moore being replaced by Kevin Shea, who has recently signed a retainer for the stable.
Vince Smith’s Near Dock, Charles O’Brien’s Lord Admiral and Kevin O’Donnell’s Shersha are also among the maximum field of 12.
The 1300m handicap has attracted a maximum field of 12 runners, with Brittain’s Bahiano and Mick Channon’s Compton’s Eleven seeking second Carnival wins this year.
They are joined in the field by Willie Haggas’ Suggestive and Michael Mullineaux’s Talbot Avenue.
Jon Akehurst’s Boule D’Or – with Michael Hills replacing regular pilot Nigel Day – is the sole UK and Irish contender in the 1777m grass handicap, while John Gosden’s Wazir takes his chance in the mile dirt race on a night.
