Charlie Appleby takes aim with three runners in feature Al Fahidi Fort

The fourth meeting of the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan is undoubtedly the best so far in the 2019 international extravaganza, highlighted by a fascinating renewal of the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort (4.50), a 7f turf feature first contested in 2000.

That inaugural running, over a mile with the trip reduced a furlong only in 2014, was won by Grazalema, who remains Saeed Bin Suroor’s only winner in a race South Africa has dominated with nine wins between 2003 and 2014.

However, Charlie Appleby has saddled three of the last four winners, including subsequent dual Group One scorer Jungle Cat last year, and is responsible for three of the 13 runners.

James Doyle has opted to ride D’Bai with Colm O’Donoghue aboard Mythical Magic and Brett Doyle on Bravo Zolo.

James Doyle: rides D'Bai, one of three runners for Charlie ApplebyCredit: Grossick Racing 07710461723

However, it is the international challenge which adds spice to the race with South African trainer Mike de Kock, seeking to add to his record six winners, the latest Anaerobio in 2014, with Sheikh Hamdan’s Janoobi and new recruit Marinaresco.

Jim Crowley rides Janoobi for his boss in a race they were second last year before going on to win the Group 2 Zabeel Mile.

Marinaresco, winner of the Group 1 Durban July over 1m3f in July 2017 for Candice Bass-Robinson, will be having his first start for almost a year with Bernard Fayd’Herbe in the saddle.

De Kock said: “Janoobi needed his first run over a trip on the sharp side but has come out of it well and improved since.

“Marinaresco has pleased us and will benefit for the outing but is ready for a run. It was always the plan to wait for this week to start him off.”

Winx may not be here but her trainer Chris Waller has his first UAE runner with Comin’ Through, the mount of Pat Cosgrave.

George Scott enjoyed a winner with his first runner at Meydan on the opening night of the carnival with Another Batt, who bids for back-to-back victories with Sam Hitchcott replacing Connor Beasley.

Sporting the colours of Excel Racing, whose members include Southampton striker Charlie Austin, the horse clearly loves travelling having also won in Turkey in 2017.

“Obviously we were delighted, if somewhat surprised, with that win,” Scott said. “This is obviously a tougher test but the horse is in great form.”

The Bin Suroor-trained Top Score was second to Another Batt on the opening night and meets him on markedly better terms.

Championship, trained by Ahmad bin Harmash, will seek to do something no horse has done before and regain his crown.

Successful in 2017, he was well beaten last year on his seasonal return and returns here without the benefit of a run but his trainer and Beasley have their team in great form.

Bin Harmash said: “We decided to wait for this and he's been working very well. The horses are in good form so hopefully he is capable of a big run in a tough race.”

Also on turf, the 1m1f Group 2 Al Rashidiya (3.40) has attracted nine runners with Appleby and Bin Suroor saddling three apiece and David Simcock runs Arod.

The unbeaten Grecko could be the future star in the inaugural Al Bastakiya Trial (3.05), over the same extended 1m1f on dirt as the middle leg of the UAE Triple Crown.

Winner of both his starts, including a Group One on dirt, in his native Argentina, he has joined Kenny McPeek but, with a penalty for two wins and being foaled in the southern hemisphere, is conceding weight all round and more than a stone to half of his 14 opponents.

Mark Johnston saddles Victory Command, a Listed winner at Ascot last year and Bin Harmash and Beasley appear to hold leading claims with Superior, a winner of his sole start over a mile on the Meydan dirt.

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