Jamie Spencer flies into Qatar on Thursday to partner Epsom Derby sixth Recital (Ahmed Kobeissi) in the Qatar Derby at Al Rayyan
Photo by Racing and Sports
After the former Ballydoyle-trained three-year-old was well beaten in the Qatar Guineas over 1m on his only previous start in Doha, trainer Ahmed Kobeissi is hoping the extra two furlongs will be to Recital's benefit.
Kobeissi said: "We have five runners in the race but Recital is our main hope without a doubt.
"He ran well enough last time but lost all chance when badly bumped. He ran on again over a trip which was always going to be on the short side for him and he was giving away lots of weight.
"This trip will suit him much better and we are very excited about running him and really looking forward to it.
"The race is a bit earlier this year and I would perhaps have been a bit more confident with an extra two weeks but we are very hopeful.
"Jamie has come over to ride him and is a good booking for the horse. We would love to think he can run very well here and then we can think about taking him to Dubai next year.
"This is the race we bought him for though so fingers crossed it goes to plan. The German horse [Arrigo] looks a big danger as he has good form with Godolphin's Campanologist and there are plenty of other dangers as youwould expect."
Arrigo (Ibrahim Al Malki/Darryll Holland) is making his local debut after chasing home Campanologist in the Group 1Gran Premio Jockey Club Italiano.
He was a Group 2 winner in Cologne in June before failing to handle heavy ground in the German Derby under Kieren Fallon.
The Guineas, inwhich Recital made his Qatari debut, was won by Ladyanne (Jassim Al Ghazali/Gerald Avranche), who was then herself beaten stable companion Brittany (Adrie De Vries) in a 1m1f prep for this race.
Darren Williams, who rode Recital in the Guineas, partners Al Madina for George Mikhalides.
Formerly a useful juvenile for Bryan Smart, she, along with Ladyanne, are the best of three fillies taking on 13 colts.
Liam Jones, Mark Lawson and Saleem Golam are other British-based jockeys with a mount in the race.
