'We look to have our best chances in years' - Botti excited about Dubai Carnival

Marco Botti feels he has his "best chances in years" at the upcoming Dubai Carnival which kicks off at Meydan on Friday.

Last year’s Italian Derby winner Ardakan recently joined the Newmarket trainer and spearheads a three-handed raiding party from Prestige Place Stables already out in Dubai.

The four-year-old, formerly trained in Germany by Markus Klug, had some high-class form to his name after his Italian triumph, most notably when third to subsequent Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Rebel’s Romance in the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Berlin over 1m4f at Hoppegarten in August.

He then ran into another Charlie Appleby runner, Nations Pride, when fourth on his last start for Klug in the Grade 3 Jockey Club Derby at Aqueduct the following month.

Marco Botti: has three horses to run at this year's Dubai CarnivalCredit: Edward Whitaker

Botti said: “We have three out in Dubai and look to have our best chances in years as in the past two carnivals most of the horses we had there were outclassed. The team out there say they are in good shape.”

He added: “Ardakan has looked like a staying type more than a mile-and-a-half horse since joining us and there's a Listed race over a mile and six furlongs we are aiming at on January 20.”

Before then, Botti hopes to have his Royal Ascot winner Rising Star in action as a prelude to having a crack at Group 1 targets like the Cape Verdi and Balanchine Stakes.

The five-year-old was the 40-1 winner of the Kensington Palace Stakes at the royal meeting before a first black-type success in the Listed Dick Hern Stakes at Haydock in August.

Botti said: “There's a new conditions race for fillies and mares on January 13, the Ipi Tombe Stakes, over seven furlongs on turf which we are looking at for Rising Star before she has a crack at bigger things."

Botti’s old stager Felix completes the trio in the desert, but he is in familiar territory having featured at the last two carnivals including a career-best third in the Group 1 Dubai Turf in 2021.

The trainer added: “Felix is seven now, but he’s down to a mark of 101 so will be able to make his presence felt in handicaps rather than Group races. He’s still enjoying it and hopefully can pick up some prize-money.”

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