Field expert Adam Houghton provides an overview of all 14 runners in Friday’s Bahrain International Trophy (12:05pm Japan time).
Bahrain International Trophy (Group 2)
when: Friday, November 17th, 12:05 GMT
where: Sakhir Racecourse, Bahrain
First prize: £500,000
tv set: Racing TV (Sky 424)
1. ASTRO KING (Daniel & Claire Kubler/Richard Kingscote)
She has been greatly improved since being bought from Sir Michael Stout’s yard for 36,000 guineas in October last year. After losing by a nose at the John Smith Cup at York in July, he finally ended his losing streak since April 2021 by going one place over the same course and distance at the Ever Festival in August. Last time at Newmarket, Cambridgeshire fought very smartly against the top weights in that ultra-competitive event, becoming the first horse to achieve that feat since 1995. Based on that evidence, it is well worth being included in this higher grade, even though it is the widest. The retraction of stall 14 complicates matters.
2. CALIF (Fauzy Nass/Adrie de Vries)
Under the tutelage of Peter Schielgen in Germany, he developed into a smart performer, and his success was particularly impressive, winning Group 3 at Baden-Baden in May, and then winning Group 2 on the same course and distance in his last outing. matched. yard. Second-placed Brave Emperor has continued to do well, winning both Group 3 in Düsseldorf and Group 2 in Milan. He currently uses local trainer Fawzi Nass as his home base after purchasing him for 400,000 euros in September, but his time on the road should not be underestimated (he mainly races in Germany at distances of around 1 mile). ).
3. Dubai Future (Saeed Bin Suroor/Kieran Shoemark)
In 2022, in addition to his success at Royal Ascot, he enjoyed a comfortable victory over fellow stablemate Passion and Glory in the same race. He put in a solid effort in defeat in the Middle East earlier this year and was at his best when filling the runner-up spot in Group 2 at Meydan in January. He has been away from the track since finishing second to clear winner Mostadaf in Group 3 in Saudi Arabia in February, but he has had some completely new experiences in the past. He’s unlikely to give up his crown without a fight, but he may have to settle for a bit role in what looks like a deeper renewal than it did 12 months ago.
4. Highland Avenue (Charlie Appleby/James Doyle)
Although he missed 14 months before returning in May, he started five games in 2023 and was a largely consistent example, proving he still has all his abilities. He won the Group 3 Darley Stakes at Newmarket last time out, and after returning from a three-month break he felt a sense of accomplishment, but it was his first win since he started his career at the age of three when he raced in a Listed race over the same course and distance. . . This is no surprise after several near misses earlier this year, and despite the Nations Pride looking like a stable number one on paper, the consistent profile suggests he should continue to give a good account. It suggests something.
5. ISRAR (John & Sadie Gosden/Jim Crowley)
He finished second in his first two starts of the season and then showed very smart form to achieve his first success with Pattern Company in the Group 2 Princess of Wales Stakes at Newmarket in July. In the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge Stakes last held at Ascot, after a below-par performance at Kempton, he narrowly failed to concede 5lb to his rival, but returned to his best and improved slightly. After I left the impression that I might have won if I had hit in front. She has the form to play a leading role, and her racing style with powerful moves suggests that lower distances (mostly raced at about 1.5 miles) will not be an issue.
6. Rayfayette (Noel Mead/Colin Keene)
He has been a huge contributor to Kone, winning the Group 3 Royal Whip Stakes at Curragh in August, his ninth career win. He worked even harder despite losing when he finished third in the G3 Paddy Power Stakes at Leopardstown in September, but when he finished fourth in a well-placed Listed event at his last-named venue. , I gave a valid excuse that I was tired after 6 weeks. It came off on softer ground than ideal. The odds are going to be in his favor today, but Form Principal is going to counter that.
7. Nations Pride (Charlie Appleby/William Buick)
He boasts an outstanding strike rate of 9 wins from 14 matches, and in 2023 he has won 3 in many countries. His success in the G3 at Meydan in February was followed by a solid third place in the G1 Dubai Turf at the same course in March. After being out of action for four months, he re-emerged with a two-legged victory in the Group 1 match between Grosser Dallmayr and Preis Bayerische Tuchtrennen in Munich in July. He also competed internationally, adding his third top-level win to his record. time. He is in the best shape of this lineup, and if Buick can secure a good position from a wide draw, there is no doubt that he will be able to take a big hit.
8. Point Lonsdale (Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore)
He has been severely tested since beginning his campaign with back-to-back wins in the Group 3 Alleged Stakes at Curler in April and the Group 2 Huxley Stakes at Chester in May. His next four starts this season were all at the top level, with his best results in the last two races being 6th in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and 4th in the Champion Stakes at Ascot. Although he won’t have anyone to challenge Auguste Rodin or King of Steel this time, it’s still a very strong race for this grade and he’ll probably need a little more power than he’s shown lately to get back to the front.
9. QAADER (Fawzi Nass/Alberto Sanna)
He showed smart form when coached by Mark Johnston in England a few seasons ago, and joined the ranks of winners earlier this year when he won the handicap in Riyadh in February. Although he returned from more than eight months of absence after suffering a narrow loss in the last condition event held on this course, he is still in top form as the top runner from the local yard who won this race at Simsir in 2020. There are still plenty of achievements to be made.
10. REAL WORLD (Sayed bin Suroor/Oisin Murphy)
As talented as any of these competitors on this day, he has been very smart in Group 1 in 2022, including when he chased the outstanding Baaidh in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. He showed great results several times. However, he missed the second half of last season due to injury, and there was no trace of his former self when he started the first three games this year. Training has clearly not been easy for him as he has been off the track again since finishing last of seven horses in the Group 1 Prix de Ganay at Longchamp in April. Everything will depend on whether he can rediscover his best form in his belated return.
11. Spirit Dancer (Richard Fahey/Oisin Orr)
The six-year-old has clearly been better than ever this year, scoring a hat-trick and finishing first in the Group 3 Strensall Stakes at York in August, his first win for Pattern Company. He fell short of that result after receiving a penalty for finishing fourth behind Highland Avenue in Group 3 of the Darley Stakes at Newmarket last time out, but the softer track surface has provided some relief. . It’s well worth a try in these deep waters, but the draw didn’t do him any favors, and judging by the balance of form he’s in, it looks like he’s likely to find a few players who are too good.
12. BIRR CASTLE (Andre Fabre/Michael Barcelona)
He has finished in the top three in every start this season, with a couple of wins at Listed, which shows his effort and he looks to repeat his best form when he last scored at that level at Shanty. There’s no need. He showed an outstanding performance in the G2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano held in Deauville in August, finishing a close third behind the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Ace Impact. It’s dangerous to take his form too literally, but he’s clearly a smart stallion, one that international raiders from Favre Yard are in constant need of reassessment.
13. Marhaba ya Sanafi (Andreas Schütz/Christian Demuro)
He caused an upset when he won the Group 1 Pour des Seits des Poulencs at Longchamp Racecourse in May, and Ace Impact and Big won the Group 1 Grand Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly Racecourse in June. He proved that his performance was no fluke when he finished third behind Rock. He failed to beat a single rival in the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville in August, was unable to race in any race after a 10-week break, and was subsequently unable to race in the Group 2 Prix Niel. He attempted a distance of 1.5 miles or more in the award, but may not have made it. Last time at Longchamp, I just pushed at one pace. After a promising start to the campaign, he lost his way a bit, but even if he bounces back, he won’t be able to get out of this situation.
14. Above the Curve (Joseph O’Brien/Maxime Guyon)
A Group 1 winner as a three-year-old, she is a likeable filly who has had very few bad races, despite failing to make the grade in a few races at the top level this season. He stepped up to make a comeback when he won the Group 2 Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud in May, and all but one of his next five starts in Group 1 It fell within the frame. When he finished last, he usually gave it his all in the first cheekpiece. He finished a close fourth in the Fillies and Mares Stakes at Ascot. He has been a consistent rider and even if he were able to lead from a wide draw, it would be difficult to overtake him (he usually has a noticeable race).
verdict
The fifth edition of this race, and first as a Group 2, looks to be a hot one with three Group/Grade 1 winners in a quality field.
marhaba ya sanafi He has yet to capitalize on his early-season Classic success and is the least appealing of the three top-level winners in the lineup.consistent above the curve Especially if an older stallion runs a big race under similar tactics and comes out on top despite losing by just half a length in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood in August. It is more interesting to receive 5 pounds of weight from.
However, priority is given to nations pride, the most decorated horse in the field, has already won three times in Group/G1 company. His win at the Canadian International was an outstanding performance in the context of this race, and repeating his effort should be enough to add another win to his impressive resume.
Of the rest, israr is preferred Point Lonsdale The last slot was because last time he looked like a horse that would look good going back to a mile and a quarter.
- nations pride
- above the curve
- israr
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