With the triple Gr.1 Dubai Gold Cup winner, Vazirabad out of the field due to an interesting the prep for this highly awaited race becomes even more important. The Gr.3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy features a field of seven superstars.
Godolphin's Group One-level runner Brundtland is the youngest horse among the septet, Charlie Appleby’s charge receives weight from his six rivals as he seeks to get back to winning ways after a luckless fourth-place finish—when almost knocked over—in the 3000m Gr.1 Prix Royal-Oak at Chantilly. This was the same trip over which he had previously won the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay on Arc weekend at Paris Longchamp. William Buick will be aboard the Dubawi colt from the outside post, which should not be too much of imposition with a nearly 650m run to the first turn.
The main danger could come from Appleby’s other contender, Ispolini, to be ridden by Mickael Barzalona. He won on his latest outing, a handicap over this 2810m course and distance when partnered by James Doyle, who cannot make the weight this time. Prior to that, Ispolini chased home another Godolphin runner, Bin Battuta, the mount of Christophe Soumillon for Saeed bin Suroor, in a 2400m handicap on the opening night of the 2019 Carnival. Soumillon’s mount looked as though he would appreciate the return to this long distance, (over which he was second at York in August 2017), when only third in another 2400m handicap three weeks after his victory.
International interest is provided by Scandinavian invader Suspicious Mind, second to Ispolini over course and distance on his local debut. The 6-year-old will again be ridden by Eliane Chaves for Andrew Kidney and has won 12 of his 25-lifetime starts. The field is completed by veteran stayer Zamzam, seven-time winner Pinzolo and Red Galileo.
Credit: Curated from Press Release by Emirates Racing Association