Evergreen Lord Glitters out to defy penalty in all-British Group 2 Al Rashidiya
The evergreen Lord Glitters put a smile on plenty of faces when outrunning an armada of Godolphin challengers three weeks ago to post his first success since the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2019 and bids to follow up at Meydan.
The popular eight-year-old has been sent all over the world by trainer David O'Meara but clearly has a special affinity with Meydan, having finished third to Almond Eye in the Dubai Turf two years ago.
A 3lb penalty for a three-length defeat of Zakouski in the 1m1f Singspiel Stakes means Lord Glitters may need even more to come out on top in the Group 2 Al Rashidiya Sponsored By emirates.com (4.50 RTV/Sky) over the same distance, but with regular partner Danny Tudhope set to take over from supersub Adrie de Vries, the gallant grey could once more play a prominent role if getting a decent pace to run at.
O'Meara said: "That was brilliant in the Singspiel; to travel an eight-year-old and win a big prize was just great. The penalty does not help, but he has remained in great form."
Zakouski ran on well on his first try at further than a mile in the Singspiel Stakes and the mount of William Buick could have further improvement on what will be just his eighth career start.
"We were obviously pleased with Zakouski’s first outing of the year," said trainer Charlie Appleby. "He has come on for that run and a slightly improved performance should put him bang there."
The Saeed bin Suroor-trained Dream Castle is a fixture in top level turf races at Meydan around this trip and should also come forward for his running-on third behind Lord Glitters.
Kinross didn't immediately build on his sixth-place finish in last season's 2,000 Guineas, but is almost certainly better than he was able to show when never getting involved in the Singspiel, while Bless Him, Cap Francais and Court House make up the rest of an all-British-trained field.
Dubai Warrior has proved himself one of Britain's leading all-weather specialists over the last couple of seasons and the 2020 Winter Derby hero is a fascinating addition to the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (4.15 RTV/Sky) on what will be his first start on dirt for trainer John Gosden.
The five-year-old son of Dansili is rated 5lb superior to a cluster of his rivals, including Cappezano, who has some major back form on the Meydan dirt but who has looked a light of his former self in two starts this season.
"Dubai Warrior has been training fine on the dirt track at Meydan, but my only concern is they go hard from the gate on the main track which can make it difficult for those in behind," said Gosden. "It's very much a speed track and we'll have to see how he copes with the kickback."
With Round 1 winner Military Law bound for the Saudi Cup and a $20m clash with top US dirt stars Knicks Go and Charlatan, those who finished in behind him last month have a chance to advance their claims, with the Doug Watson-trained Thegreatcollection and Salute The Soldier for Fawzi Nass best placed to take advantage.
Read more:
'He was brilliant' – Lord Glitters rolls back the years with Group 2 success
'That means everything' – Ryan Curatolo shines aboard Mouheeb in UAE Guineas
Like old times as Dettori and Bin Suroor win UAE 1,000 Guineas with Soft Whisper
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Published on 10 February 2021inPreviews
Last updated 18:03, 10 February 2021
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