Charlie Appleby's Brundtland rates the star turn on penultimate Carnival meeting

Brundtland appears the star turn at Meydan on Thursday and is set to face six rivals in the feature Nad Al Sheba Trophy (4.15) on the ninth and penultimate meeting of the 2019 Dubai World Cup Carnival.

The official prep for the Dubai Gold Cup on World Cup night, the Group 3 contest run over 1m6f was won last year by Rare Rhythm, representing the Brundtland team of Charlie Appleby and William Buick.

A four-year-old Dubawi colt and therefore receiving weight from the majority of his six rivals, he is probably unlucky to have suffered defeat having won his first four starts before being badly hampered when fourth, beaten just a length, in the 1m7f Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak at Chantilly.

Appleby also saddles Ispolini, a course-and-distance handicap winner six weeks ago and, with James Doyle unable to make the weight, the mount of Mickael Barzalona.

Ispolini (blue): beaten by Sevenna Star in Sandown's Classic Trial last yearCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Appleby said: “We gave Brundtland a nice break with this race in mind to put him spot on for the Dubai Gold Cup, which his main target.

“He seems to have progressed from three to four and is in very good form. He'll improve for the run but has the class to be very competitive.

“Ispolini proved he stays this far last time, so opened up plenty more options. This will likely be his last run here this year because we have Australia in mind for him.”

Always been the target

When Bin Battuta landed a 1m4f handicap at the first Carnival fixture in early January, both trainer Saeed bin Suroor and jockey Christophe Soumillon mentioned this race as a feasible target.

Second in the 1m6f Melrose Hanicap at York in August 2017, that Meydan victory was his first outing since and he looked likely to appreciate this step up in trip when third over the same course and distance when last seen just over a month ago.

Bin Suroor, who also has Red Galileo in the field, said: “Both mine are in good form and have produced pleasing carnival runs this year.

“We think the distance is really going to suit them both in what appears a strong renewal.”

Strong British representation

Elsewhere on the card, there is a strong British representation in the Meydan Classic (3.05), a mile Listed event for three-year-olds on the turf.

Simon Crisford, though technically classed as UAE-based from his satellite yard at Meydan, has Sporting Chance, a Group 3 winner last year, as well as Trolius among the 14 runners.

David Simcock is represented by Woven, while Mark Johnston has Victory Command entered. However, they all have to beat Golden Jaguar, who is unbeaten in two starts.

Winner of a 5f conditions race on debut at Jebel Ali on dirt despite fluffing the break, he was imperious landing the 7f trial for this a month ago.

Trained by Ahmad bin Harmash for Phoenix Ladies Syndicate, the Animal Kingdom colt overcame a poor draw last time out but will need to do so again under regular pilot, Connor Beasley.

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