Super Thursday!

War Artist 'clearly handles Tapeta'

Preview: UAE, Thursday 4.15pm GMT (live on ATR/RUK)

Meydan: Mahab Al Shimaal Sponsored by Derrinstown Stud, Elnadim (Group 3) 6f , Tapeta, 3yo+


What they say

Shane Lyons, assistant to Ger Lyons, trainer of Palazonne
"He is working well but has a lot to find realistically so if we could pick up a cheque that would be grand."

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Desert Party
"He has been off since the Kentucky Derby after having problems so is going to need this comeback run. However, he is ready for a race and pleasing us in his work."

Doug Watson, trainer of Barbecue Eddie, Prince Shaun and Force Freeze
"All three are in good form and should run their races. Prince Shaun and Barbecue (Eddie) are probably better over anextra furlong but we were delighted with Force Freeze's winning comeback. He will have come on a lot for that and should run a big race but obviously this is much more competitive."

Antonio Cintra Pereira, trainer of Mrs Boss

"She was unbeaten in Brazil but was far too keen on her UAE debut. Hopefully she can improve on that effort but this is a tougher race."

Stephane Chevalier, assistant to Jerry Barton, trainer of El Amarillista
"This will be his third Meydan outing and first against his elders. He has a lot to find to be competitive."

Olivier Peslier, jockey of War Artist
"We were really pleased with his win as he would definitely have needed that run. He is a Group 1 performer on grass as he showed in the Abbaye and he clearly handles Tapeta. How he runs will determine his target on World Cup night."

Royston Ffrench, jockey of Montpellier
"He has run two great races here at the Carnival and has been in good form all season. This is the best race he has contested butat least we know conditions suit him and he seems in good form at home still."

Martin Smith, assistant to John Best, trainer of Sir Gerry
"This will be his fifth Carnival start and he has yet to run a bad race. This is a good contest but he should run his usual good race."

Pat Smullen, jockey of Snow Runner
"Hopefully he can produce a good run but it is a tough race and we are badly drawn."

Richard Hills, jockey of Mutheeb
"He has been running well throughout the Carnival and should do so again. The draw could have been kinder but we know he handles the conditions and I expect a big effort."

Vale Of York makes UAE debut in Al Bastakiya

Preview: UAE, Thursday 3.35pm GMT (live on ATR/RUK)

Meydan: Al Bastakiya Sponsored by Derrinstown Stud, Bahri (Listed Race) 1m1 1/2f , Tapeta, 3yo

VALE OF YORK, surprise winner of last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile on the Santa Anita Pro-ride surface, makes his eagerly awaited UAE bow in the Al Bastakiya, the 1m11/2f Tapeta prep race for the UAE Derby.


Also Group 1-placed, on turf, in Italy, the Godolphin-owned son of Invincible Spirit will again be partnered by Ahmed Ajtebi who has ridden him in his last four starts and to all three of his career wins, including fittingly, on debut, a York maiden.

What they say

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Enak, Vale of York and Mendip

"Vale of York has a touch of class and this is the perfect opportunity to get him back on the track. He will improve from the outing but his first target is definitely the UAE Derby. Only then will we decide whether to he should be campaigned in Europe or America. Mendip is a horse I have always liked and we were very pleased with his win. He is learning about racing and maturing all the time. Enak was behind him last time but should appreciate this step up in trip."

Stephane Chevalier, assistant to Jerry Barton, trainer of Della Barba

"We were very pleased with his run in the (UAE 2000) Guineas and he has come on from the outing. The extra distance is in his favour and we have to be hopeful of a big run but the Godolphin horse (Vale of York) could be hard to beat."

Eoghan O'Neill, trainer of Maroon Machine

"He ran well enough in the UAE 2000 Guineas and should have improved fitness wise but he needs to step up on what he has shown to date."

Mike De Kock, trainer of Solid Choice

"He is a nice horse and has actually beaten Musir (UAE 2000 Guineas winner) in South Africa. He seems to be crying out for this kind of trip and can hopefully go close."

Dhruba Selvaratnam, trainer of Moran Gra

"His Royal Ascot run in the Coventry Stakes is by far his best piece of form and he would really need to bounce back to something like that level to be competitive in what looks a decent renewal."

William Buick, jockey of Kona Coast

"He seems a nice horse and his last run in the UK was a good one in defeat. He has something to find on the book but should run well."

Richard Mullen, jockey of Jardim

"He ran very well first time behind Musir and was staying on nicely in the Guineas. Hopefully the extra trip will suit him and he can put up a bold show."

Herman Brown, trainer of Storm Chispazo

"He is a lot fitter than he was for his first run and the trip will suit him much better. I have to be hopeful of a big run as he is a classy individual with plenty of stamina."

Tiago Pereira, jockey of Uncle Tom

"He ran very well first time here in Dubai and the way he was staying on this step up in trip will help. He certainly handled the surface but he is penalised for his Group 1 win in Brazil."

Purple Moon warms up for Sheema Classic

Preview: UAE, Thursday 5.35pm GMT (live onATR/RUK)

Meydan: Dubai City Of Gold Sponsored by Derrinstown Stud, Marju (Group 2) 1m4f, turf, 3yo+

PURPLE MOON returns to action as part of his preparation to go two places better in the Sheema Classic on World Cup night after his close third last year.

He will be ridden by Kieren Fallon, while Perfect Stride (Sir Michael Stoute/Ryan Moore) and Halicarnassus (Mick Channon/Alan Munro) complete astrong British trio.

Germany's Quijano won this in 2007, while Pan River can run a big race for Turkey in a race both Mike De Kock and Saeed Bin Suroor have three runners apiece. Campanologist (Frankie Dettori) and Golden Sword (Christophe Soumillon) may be their best chance respectively.

What they say

Ryan Moore, jockey on Perfect Stride
"It looks a good race but he is in good form in the mornings. The return to turf is in his favour and hopefully the extended trip will suit him also."

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Campanologist, Anmar and Claremont
"Campanologist has been going nicely and is definitely further forward than he was at this time last season. The horse he beat at Windsor (Bankable) has won at the Carnival this year and he should run well.

"Anmar won nicely last time and suggested this trip would suit, while Claremont was not beaten far in his race and has improved for that run."

Richard Mullen, jockey on Pompeyano
"The recent rain will be a help and he has run three good races at the Carnival but he would need to improve on what he has achieved to win this. I am hoping for a decent gallop as he stays well."

Alan Munro, jockey on Halicarnassus
"The horse has done nothing wrong and remains in great form. He beat a decent horse last time (Mourilyan) but probably needs to raise his game again here in a very competitive race."

Luca Cumani, trainer of Purple Moon
"He has been off since World Cup night last year and is certainly going to come on for this run, as he always needs his first run back. He was fourth in this last year before his Sheema Classic third and he is ready for the outing as he is as fit as we can get him without a run."

Mubarak Bin Shafya, trainer of Topclas
"He has been running well enough but this is a good race."

Ayhan Kasar, trainer of Pan River
"We knew he deserved his place at the Carnival and had been looking forward to his run when he won. He has come on from that and expect him to run a very good race."

Mike De Kock, trainer of Golden Sword, Frozen Fire and King of Rome
"Frozen Fire has yet to show us his true ability but Golden Sword should run much better than last time when he tired quickly. They both have top class European form but King of Rome has been in the best form of the trio and should run another good race but this is obviously the hardest task we have set him."

Peter Schiergen, trainer of Quijano
"He will improve for the run and has to give weight away but he is a proven international performer with a good Carnival record. He won this in 2007 but the run should put him spot on for the Sheema Classic."

Olivier Peslier, jockey on Titurel
"He has been running well without enjoying any luck. This is a good race but he remains in good form at home."

Change of jockey and surface for Presvis

Preview: UAE, Thursday 6.45pm GMT (live on ATR/RUK)

Meydan: Jebel Hatta Sponsored by Derrinstown Stud, Haatel (Group 2) 1m1f , turf, 3yo+

THE concluding Group 2 Jebel Hatta, over 1m1f, sees a return to turf for Presvis. Trained by Luca Cumani, he is not only switching surfaces, but is reunited with Ryan Moore for whom he is a Group 1 winner and was third in last year's Dubai Duty Free.


Just behind him on that occasion was Godolphin's Alexandros, who re-opposes after a very impressive comeback victory in the Al Rashidiya.

Saeed Bin Suroor also saddles Justenuffhumor, placedat the Breeders' Cup behind Goldikova, and Ibn Khaldun, who were both behind local hope Ibn Battuta (Musabah Al Muhairi/ Wayne Smith) in the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort.

Lahaleeb (Fawzi Nass/John Egan) and Zirconeum (De Kock/Kevin Shea) are both Group 1 winning fillies in a quality renewal.

What they say

Luca Cumani, trainer of Presvis
"We have reverted to the turf, although his defeat by Allybar has turned out to not be a bad effort, and Ryan (Moore) does get on exceptionally well with the horse. It was Kieren (Fallon) who suggested the change and all credit to him. He is working nicely but does have a Group 1 penalty."

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Alexandros, Justenuffhumor and Ibn Khaldun
"Alexandros is in great form and has thrived since his win. He has always loved the Dubai climate and seems to be going the right way even as a five-year-old. Ibn Khaldun was obviously a quality juvenile, but was just behind Justenuffhumor on their local debuts. Both would have needed the outing and I expect all three to run well."

Mubarak Bin Shafya, trainer of Tam Lin
"He has been running well and remains in good form. His two turf efforts have been good, but this is the toughest race he has contested so he would need to stepup."

Fawzi Nass, trainer of Lahaleeb
"She is a nice filly and, as a Group 1 winner, is going to be a great broodmare once she has finished racing. We have targeted this race with her but World Cup night is her big target and she will hopefully improve from this run."

Wayne Smith, rider of Ibn Battuta
"He ran a blinder last time when, with luck, I could have won. We have always thought he was of this quality and hopefully he can run another big race for us and qualify for World Cup night."

Mike De Kock, trainer of Zirconeum
"She has not been suited by the pace of the race in her two starts and is better than the bare form suggests. It is a competitive race but she should give a good account of herself."

Doug Watson, trainer of War Monger
"He is a decent horse and certainly far better than his Jebel Ali run but this does look a hot contest. Hopefully he can go well."

Royston Ffrench, rider of With Interest
"He will have needed his first run back but this is a tough contest and he would need to bounce back to his very best to be competitive."

Stephane Chevalier, assistant to Jerry Barton, trainer of Naval Officer
"He is another we want to run on World Cup night so needs to run well. The cheek pieces helped him concentrate last time and the return to the turf should suit him."

magiclips Wrote:

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> ::oBelieve it or not they had torrential rain in
> Dubai on Tuesday. Shouldn't affect the Tapeta but
> the grass took a big soaking. Good test of its
> drainage.

You say it won`t affect the Tapeta Magic?

The times on the surface are very slow compared with other All weather surfaces,even Southwells sand is posting faster times than Meydan.

Nothing will stop SKYSURFERS(tu)

I wasn't aware of that, hib. I kind of assumed that the Tapeta is the state-of-the-art AW surface, but maybe there is less to it than meets the eye?

thanks for all the infos! pick of the day: titurel. (but i am very unlucky the last days, as titurel)

Some nice big priced runners today, Perfect Stride for stoute and Moore and King of Rome

33/10 on Mendip was a nice price imo...

Godolphin treble
Mendip
Skysurfers
Alexandros

15-1

Liked the comentator there (tu)

((( Excellent call!