Being contested over 2200m on the lauded Abu Dhabi turf for the third time, the Group 1 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown, formerly a 1600m contest, as you would expect for a race offering Dh5,000,000, has attracted a capacity, and quality, field of 16.
Replacing the National Day Cup in 2015, the race in this guise has never produced a dual winner but that could change this year with defending champion, Lady Princess, the impressive heroine 12 months ago, looking to hold major claims of a repeat. Jim Crowley again rides for Thomas Fourcy, the pair having forged a strong partnership, most recently winning Group Ones at Glorious Goodwood and ParisLongchamp on Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend.
The 6yo mare is seeking a sixth consecutive victory, all at the highest level. If this was on dirt, which it clearly is not, First Classs would be a huge danger for Alban de Mieulle but last season’s Kahayla Classic winner does not appear the same force on turf and has twice been well beaten by Lady Princess in his three most recent starts, finishing fifth both times.
The likely quicker ground here should suit him though. Francois Rohaut landed the prize in 2017 with Muraaqib and saddles an interesting contender this time with Djafar, although he too has something to find to reverse the form from his latest two starts with Lady Princess and was behind Upper Classs in the Kahayla Classic.
He could be the type to improve though. Hameem absolutely loves it on the Abu Dhabi ‘lawn’, most recently winning the course and distance prep three weeks ago, chased home by Ashton Tourettes. This is a much deeper field though.
Somoud is a multiple Group One winner over this 2200m Abu Dhabi course and distance but this contest has not been a lucky one for him. Jean de Roualle will surely have him spot on though trying to break his race hoodoo.
The first of the three major Thoroughbred races of the season in the capital, the 1600m Listed Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup looks a competitive renewal with last year’s victor Moqtarreb seeking to become the fourth dual winner and third to successfully defend his crown in a contest inaugurated in 1993.
Saddled last year by Erwan Charpy, Shadwell’s homebred 6yo gelding by Kingman has not changed base, he is still trained at Green Stables, but has a new handler in the Frenchman’s former assistant, Ali Albadwawi. He won this on his reappearance last year so the fact it is his seasonal debut is of little concern, whereas stable companion, the same owner’s Taamol, won a course and distance handicap three weeks ago to provide the rookie trainer a dream success with his very first runner.
The latter will be seeking to emulate Forjatt who regained a crown he first won in 2015 with a repeat victory in 2018, the year before Taamol landed the prize when trained by Ali Rashid Al Rayhi. Shadwell appear to have a very strong hand and John Hyde’s Haqeeqy is another string to their apparently powerful bow.
The 5yo gelded son of Lope De Vega made a winning local debut in the 1400m Listed HH The President Cup, here in the capital, before not really firing in two carnival outings at Meydan. The owners also have Al Salt and Alfareeq to complete a powerful quintet among the capacity field of 16.
Somewhat surprisingly this prize has thus far eluded Doug Watson but he will be hoping for a big run from local debutant San Donato, rated 110, the highest handicap mark of all the runners. A 500,000gns yearling purchase by former trainer Roger Varian on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, the 6yo gelded son of Lope De Vega arrived thrice a winner in Britain, highlighted by his most recent success in Listed company, at Doncaster, in October 2018. He has been gelded since last seen in public, in April 2021, so is returning here after an absence of almost 600 days.
SELECTION
Race 1: Shamakh
Race 2: Jalmood (Nap)
Race 3: Ihtesham (NB)
Race 4: AG Alwajel
Race 5: Lady Princess
Race 6: Moqtarreb
Race 7: AF Motaghatres
--©BreedersCup2022(4).JPG)
