Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Mourtajez will be the hot favourite for tomorrow’s Qatar Coupe d’Europe des Chevaux Arabes (Gr1 PA) in Deauville, France.
Thomas Fourcy’s charge is one of the best older purebred Arabians as was evident from his majestic win in the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1 PA) on the Arc day last year at Longchamp.
After a trip to Qatar, which ended with third place in the HH The Emir’s Sword (Gr1 PA), he has now returned to France, at Deauville, and the participation of six-year-old son of Dahess has scared off the others with only four others in the 2000m race.
Sir Bani Yas, winner of the Qatar International Stakes (Gr1 PA) at Goodwood, is the most accomplished competition.
He is coming off a third place for his seasonal debut in the Gr2 PA at Toulouse. He is trained by Elisabeth Bernard, who also saddles AJS Rudainah, in the colours of Al Shaqab Racing, and who is making her comeback.
She already has Group places, having finished second behind the excellent Loraa last year. Al Shaqab Racing also has Laft Nethar, who has only run twice, but is coming off an impressive win in Toulouse.
A regular starter in the top Arab races, Prada T (Djendel) hasn’t run since the Qatar Arabian World Cup. She previously finished second to Sir Bani Yas at Goodwood.