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David O'Meara wants fast pace as Lord Glitters goes for Group 1 glory in Dubai

Lord Glitters: gunning for a first Group 1 in Meydan in the Jebel Hatta
Lord Glitters: gunning for a first Group 1 in Meydan in the Jebel HattaCredit: Dubai Racing Club / Erika Rasmussen

David O’Meara hopes a stronger gallop and the lack of a penalty will enable Lord Glitters to add a Group 1 win to his fine Dubai World Cup Carnival campaign.

The Jebel Hatta (2.20) is one of the two Group 1s on the Super Saturday card at Meydan, a dress rehearsal for Dubai World Cup night in three weeks' time, when Lord Glitters could run in the Dubai Turf, in which he finished third behind Almond Eye in 2019.

But first comes the Jebel Hatta, run over the same trip of 1m1f, with O’Meara praying his eight-year-old grey gets a stronger gallop to aim at than when third in the Group 2 Al Rashidiya last month. The Simon Crisford-trained Court House, well positioned on the front to finish one place in front of Lord Glitters that day, is among the opposition.

O’Meara said: “His last race was just not run to suit him as there was no pace. He does not have the penalty this time and hopefully there will be a stronger gallop.”

Charlie Appleby and Saeed bin Suroor have claimed five of the last six runnings between them, including with Appleby's high-class Barney Roy 12 months ago, and the pair are both represented again.

Appleby fields the likely favourite in Al Suhail, who has had just six starts and was last seen winning the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes by six lengths at Newmarket’s July meeting. He is joined by stablemate Art Du Val, who has something to find with Lord Glitters on their encounter in January.

Al Suhail set for his first start since a six-length win at Newmarket
Al Suhail set for his first start since a six-length win at NewmarketCredit: Edward Whitaker

Appleby said: “Al Suhail had a setback after winning at Newmarket and subsequently we have had our eye on a Dubai campaign for him. His preparation has gone well and he did a nice racecourse gallop at Meydan last week.

“We are hoping that he can run a decent race with an eye on going on to the Group 1 Dubai Turf later in the month, so we expect him to come on for the run, but we have no doubt about his ability to run at this level.”

Bin Suroor relies on Royal Marine, who has not been successful in 11 starts since winning the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp as a juvenile in October 2018. He will be ridden by Frankie Dettori for the first time.

Round three of the Al Maktoum Challenge (2.55) is the second Group 1 on the card with the Fawzi Naas-trained Salute The Solider the likely favourite for the dirt contest, while the Group 2 Dubai City Of Gold (12.35) is the other turf highlight.

Appleby’s Walton Street, a five-length course-and-distance winner last time, and Bin Suroor’s Dubai Future feature, with one-time Derby hope Dubai Warrior having his first start over 1m4f for John Gosden and Dettori.


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Matt ButlerDeputy news editor

Published on 5 March 2021inInternational

Last updated 13:47, 5 March 2021

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