The Jebel Ali Mile Prep is the highlight of Sunday’s first UAE fixture of 2023, obviously at Jebel Ali over 1600m, and for which eight have been declared, three of which will carry the famous yellow silks of racecourse patron Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Two of the trio are trained at the adjacent Jebel Ali Stables by first season UAE handler Michael Costa, with Mersaal seemingly the main hope and the mount of stable jockey Jean Van Overmeire.
A 4yo Ghostzapper gelding, he is defending an unbeaten record on his home track, his only defeat after three starts suffered on his latest outing which was at Meydan.
Unraced until November, he made a winning debut in a maiden over 1200m before stepping up into handicap company and to this 1600m, defeating the classy Down On Da Bayou.
His heavy Meydan defeat was a disappointment but Costa did at least saddle the winner for Sheikh Ahmed, his Tahdeed landing the 1600m dirt handicap spoils under Dane O'Neill. Again Down On Da Bayou was the runner-up. Champion Jockey Tadhg O'Shea rides this time.
The owner's third contender, Katheall, will be saddled by Salem bin Ghadayer but has shown little on either Jebel Ali appearance to date and will be partnered by Xavier Ziani, Royston Ffrench opting to partner the aforementioned Down On Da Bayou.
Now a 5yo, Ffrench's mount, a 5yo mare by Super Saver, will likely always be best remembered for her stunning success in the 1900m Group 3 UAE Oaks of 2020 when she powered home more than 18 lengths clear of five rivals she totally outclassed on that occasion.
She did not win again until Christmas Eve 2021, over this Jebel Ali 1600m and followed up over the same course and distance at the end of January 2022. Runner-up on the two most recent of three starts, detailed above, this season, she arrives here in good heart and, as a mare, receives weight from her seven rivals.
Doug Watson also saddles two with Dane O'Neill partnering Fanaar for his main employer, Shadwell. A winner here at Jebel Ali on both his latest two appearances but over 1400m, he has not won over 1600m but is clearly thriving at present and looks a major contender.
With stable jockey Pat Dobbs suspended, Sam Hitchcott, also based with Watson at Red Stables, will be aboard the trainer's second runner, Prevent, twice a Jebel Ali winner over 1800m last season for previous trainer Ahmad bin Harmash.
This seasonal debut will be his first start for Watson and it would be no major surprise were he to run a big race with the yard in great form, especially at Jebel Ali.
Bin Harmash saddles local debutant Secret Victory who has not been seen in public since April 2021 having won two of his previous seven outings for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin, both on all-weather surfaces. The 631 day absence is an obvious worry but his handler is more than capable of getting his horses fit after such a break.
The field is completed by Ibra Attack, already twice successful at Jebel Ali this season, as with Fanaar over 1400m both times. The mount of Antonio Fresu, he will be trying 1600m for the first time, on just his fifth career outing, but has really carried the flag for trainer Ahmed Al Shemaili from his new base at Grandstand Stables.
