Mazin Al Kurdi's Millennium 2 Stables have something to prove after a disappointing start to the season, and today could be the day when it all comes together for the reigning champions.
Al Kurdi has strong representation in all six races, particularly the featured events for Purebred Arabians and Thoroughbreds.
Ryan Giggs, who is named after Manchester United's talented midfielder, should get Al Kurdi's evening off to a good start by taking the Al Barsha Handicap, sponsored by BBC World, over 1,200 metres.
The lightly-raced five-year-old gelding was an easy eight length winner last Friday at Jebel Ali and despite the step up in class, should be hard to beat under four-time champion jockey Ted Durcan.
Al Kurdi's second runner, Roy Keane, to be ridden by stable jockey Richard Mullen, has serious place claims as does Dr Jabber Bittar's Sousoff.
Durcan and Al Kurdi team up again in the Al Dhiyafa Handicap over 2,000 metres with Afghan.
A course and distance runner-up to Albadou a week ago, the six-year-old gelding should run a big race for a stable desperate to strike form.
Erwan Charpy's Kriskova, the mount of in-form rider Tadhg O'Shea up, looks to be the main danger.
The five-year-old finished tenth to Albadou in the same race, but should have come on that effort, his first of the season.
Doug Watson's Dubai Vision also looks a threat, having twice won over the course and distance last season.
Al Kurdi saddles 19 runners in all today, including six in the Al Karama handicap, a 60-90 event over 1,400 metres.
The pick of the team looks to be Kulachi, who has been knocking at the door for quite a while.
The son of Royal Applause was fourth over 1,600 metres on his last outing at Nad Al Sheba and should benefit from that effort. Durcan takes the ride.
Though stable jockey Richard Mullen has chosen to partner Storm of Tara from the wide choice he had, the booking of former English apprentice Ryan Moore to ride Meshty may well pay dividends.
The Lahib gelding finished a length and three quarters behind Curule up the hill at Jebel Ali last week and will in all probability relish Nad Al Sheba's more flattering surface.
Another who could be there at the finish is the Musabah Al Muhairi-trained Shafeeq, with Willie Supple up, who was fourth on his last run of the 2003-04 season and has a chance if back to his best.
Mr Sena, trained by Satish Seemar, was a course winner in April over 1,400 metres and could take all the beating in the third race, the Al Quoz Handicap over 1,400 metres.
The Argentine-bred gelding was ninth on his latest outing at Nad Al Sheba but is stepping down slightly in class which should suit him.
Dangers will be Paddy Rudkin's Majaarat, the mount of Patrick Dobbs, and Al Kurdi's My Pleasure, who will be ridden by apprentice jockey Derek Stamp claiming four and a half kilos.
Gulf News
