Mariol set for Al Quoz Sprint and 'in great form'

ROBERT COLLET has accepted an invitation to run Mariol in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on March 27 following a satisfactory gallop at Chantilly on Thursday morning.

Robert Collet: pleased with gallop

  PICTURE: Martin Lynch  

The trainer explained: "I had hoped to work Mariol on the grass but that was not possible, as the ground was frozen, so we had to revert to the sand on the Piste des Lions. Mariol went very well and hopefully he will be able to work on the grass next week.

"We are going for the Al Quoz not the Golden Shaheen as Mariol is better on a straight track. The horse is in great form and I'm sure he'll give a good account of himself. I just hope the grass track at Meydan doesn't come up too firm."

During his career, Mariol has won two Group 3 races at Deauville and was runner up at the same track to King's Apostle in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest last August.

He is no stranger to Dubai as he was first past the post in a handicap at Nad Al Sheba in January 2008 before being demoted to second place.