Jayide Al Boraq leads Friday feature at Al Ain

Racing at Al Ain on Friday, a seven-race card, is highlighted by a competitive 1400m handicap, which will be contested by the maximum allowed field of 15, including Jayide Al Boraq, who has only run three times, all at Al Ain.

Winning his 1600m debut in March before disappointing three weeks later in a handicap over 1800m, Jayide Al Boraq made a successful return to action a fortnight ago in a 1000m handicap and should be thereabouts under regular pilot Bernardo Pinheiro for trainer Khalifa Al Neyadi and owners Al Rahmani Racing.

For Abu Dhabi Racing and Helel Al Alawi, Bolereau landed a maiden over this Al Ain 1400m three weeks ago and is again to be ridden by Connor Beasley, as he has been for his two most recent outings, the first of which was a close second over 1400m on the Abu Dhabi turf.

AF Alnwha, one of two in the race to be saddled by Ernst Oertel for Khalifa Al Nabooda, is the choice of Tadhg O’Shea. A homebred 4-year-old filly, her sole victory after seven starts was in a maiden over this course and distance in January.

Eric Lemartinel and His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan are also doubly represented with Fabrice Veron opting to partner Joori, a 6-year-old homebred mare with three career victories to her name, the most recent of which was over 1600m here at Al Ain just over a year ago.

A fortnight ago, on her seasonal bow, she found only Jayide Al Boraq too strong in a 1000m handicap and should certainly appreciate the extra 400m here.

The only Thoroughbred race on the card is a 2000m maiden in which trainer Ahmed Al Shemaili, looking to open his seasonal account, will be hoping Antimo can go one better than his second a fortnight ago in a maiden over 1800m.

He and Antonio Fresu, again in the saddle, were staying on strongly so the extra 200m should suit here.

That race was won by Doug Watson’s Alda’iya, whose stable companion, Rougher, may well be the main danger on his first start for 671 days in which time he has been gelded.

A 4-year-old son of Lookin At Lucky and owned by Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, he ran once as a juvenile and twice as a 3-year-old, all at Meydan, most recently over 1600m in early February 2018.

“Obviously he has been off almost two years so will be entitled to need the run,” Watson said.

“He has been pleasing us in his work recently and is ready for a run. It will be the first time we have been able to try him over this longer trip which we think will suit him. Hopefully he can run a good race because he is a horse we like and have been patient with.”