The highlight of the day, the £50,000 added Listed skybet.com GREAT YORKSHIRE CHASE (2.15pm), has attracted a good quality field of 18 (compared to 12 in 2002), headed by the 2000 Scottish Grand National winner Paris Pike. With the original top weight Bobby Grant not having been declared, the weights have risen by 5lb which means that 16 of the 18 runners will be running from within the handicap proper. The contest should therefore be an ultra-competitive affair.

There will be a challenger from north of the border in the skybet.com Great Yorkshire Chase with trainer James Adam sending down Chevalier Errant from his Borders stable. The ten-year-old Strong Gale gelding is no stranger to success at Town Moor, having landed a handicap chase over an extended two miles in December 2000.

Adam reported today: "Chevalier Errant is absolutely spot-on at the moment. I'm pleased the ground is drying out and he will absolutely love it.

"I do think the handicapper has been a rather cruel with him lately and 10st 9lb is plenty of weight for him. We were originally hoping that Marcus Foley could ride him as he claims 3lb and gets on with the horse very well but he has been claimed by Nicky Henderson to ride at Cheltenham, so that's a blow. Warren Marston will now ride him instead - so we have experience instead of youth!"

Chevalier Errant has yet to win beyond two miles, five furlongs and Adam admits that tomorrow will be something of a test for the horse as he steps up to three miles.

Adam continued: "It's an interesting question as to whether he will get the trip. He certainly loves Doncaster and has always run up to his best there. So, he has the course and ground in his favour tomorrow - if he's going to get three miles anywhere, it will be at Doncaster. He certainly gets two miles and six furlongs and will have a bit more toe than others in the race."

Ground conditions on Town Moor are beginning to dry out. Steven Clarke, Doncaster's General Manager, reported today:"The ground is currently good, good to soft in places on the chase course and good to soft, soft in places on the hurdles course. We are enjoying a beautiful sunny day today and although there could be a drop of rain, the forecast is for it to be quite localised so we might miss it again."

The main supporting race tomorrow is the £30,000 Grade Two skybet.com RIVER DON NOVICES' HURDLE (1.45pm), in which trainer Robert Alner runs Coolsan. His charge will be seeking a hat-trick after two impressive victories at Plumpton and Warwick.

He said: "Coolsan has come out of Warwick fine - that was a while ago [on December 21] and we've had frost and wet weather since then, but he seems in good form with himself.

"The handicapper put him up 8lb the other day which hasn't done him any favours but he gets in to tomorrow's race with no penalties as the two races he won were Class E. This has got to be an advantage as if this were a normal novice hurdle he'd have two penalties."
Asked if the eight-year-old was ready for this step up in class, the Dorset trainer replied: "Who knows - we've got him earmarked as a future chaser and anything he does over hurdles is a bonus. He stays well and will like the trip and going. He's got a good jockey in Timmy Murphy and we'll do the best we can."

Racing gets underway tomorrow at 12.45pm, with the final race of the day at 4.00pm.

LATEST skybet.com PRICES FOR THE GREAT YORKSHIRE CHASE:
5/2 Barryscourt Lad, 9/2 Gunner Welburn, 10/1 Bold Investor, 10/1 Carryonharry, 14/1 Robbo, 14/1 Ryalux, 14/1 Tom Costalot, 14/1 Tonoco, 16/1 Shardam, 20/1 Ballybough Rasher, 20/1 Delgany Royal, 20/1 Gun N Roses, 20/1 Precious Music, 20/1 Quality First, 25/1 Paris Pike, 33/1 Random Harvest, 40/1 Chevalier Errant, 40/1 Donnybrook

Dale Tempest, Media Releations Relations Manager for SkyBet, said: "We have seen significant support for Barryscourt Lad while the best-backed outsider has been Shardam from Nigel Twiston-Davies. Obviously the yard has won the race twice before with unexposed novices (Young Hustler in 1993 and Beau in 2000), so it was interesting to see a bit more than the normal money for that one. The other two best-backed horses this week have been Gunner Welburn, who was cut to 9/2 from 5/1 yesterday, and Bold Investor, who has been well-supported at 10/1."

FOLY PLEASANT TRIES THREE MILES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN CHELTENHAM'S BIG RACE TOMORROW

Simon Claisse, Cheltenham's Clerk of the Course, is delighted with the turnout and he reported on the going: "The ground is drying a little - we are still good to soft, soft in places. The soft places are few and far between - there is one which only affects the two mile, five furlong races and one on the run to the line.

"The forecast today is for a dry day. There might be some light rain in the early hours of Saturday morning and tomorrow is forecast to be sunny, with the occasional shower.

"I am absolutely delighted with the fields for tomorrow - the Pillar looks a cracking contest."

The feature race of the day, the £80,000 Pillar Property Chase (2.35pm), has attracted six top-quality participants, Bacchanal, Behrajan, Cyfor Malta, Foly Pleasant, Valley Henry and Gingembre, all of whom are entered in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The prestigious chase, run over three miles, one and a half furlongs, has been an excellent pointer for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup, with three of the last seven runnings generating the winner of the March showpiece in the same season.

Foly Pleasant, something of a Cheltenham regular with five of his last six outings at the course, steps up in trip tomorrow, going four and a half furlongs further than he has ever attempted before.

Last time out, the nine-year-old was a good second to Fondmort in the £100,000 Tripleprint Gold Cup over two miles, five furlongs, in December. He won at this fixture last year, taking the valuable Ladbroke Trophy Handicap Chase, also over 21 furlongs, from Lady Cricket.

His trainer Henrietta Knight said today: "Foly Pleasant is going straight to three miles, one and a half furlongs which will be interesting - it is a bit of an experiment.

"Everybody who has watched him, and those who have ridden him, say that they feel he wants three miles so we will just see. He likes Cheltenham - he is in the Gold Cup and he will probably be put in some of the Festival handicaps as well but he is so high in the ratings now."
The Wantage-based trainer also has Be My Manager going for the 15-runner £40,000 Ladbroke Trophy (3.10pm), the weights for which are headed by the Martin Pipe-trained Lady Cricket. Be My Manager is 4lb out of the handicap on 10st, the lightest weight he has ever carried in a race.

Knight commented: "Hes a bit of an enigma - we are still none the wiser about what distance he wants. I thought he wanted three miles plus but he faded when he ran at that distance in December.

"When he won the Timeform Novices' Chase (this day two years ago) it was this distance. But it is a much hotter race tomorrow. He's in quite good form - he seems to be happy with things at the moment and I think he will run quite well, even though he is out of the handicap."

The feature hurdle is the Grade One £75,000 Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle (2pm) which has six runners, Classified and Mr Cool from the Pipe yard, Eternal Spring, Comex Flyer, Sudden Shock and Texas Ranger.

The £30,000 Wragge & Co Finesse Hurdle (3.45pm) is the best race for juvenile hurdlers seen so far this season, with JCB Triumph Hurdle ante-post favourite, Saintsaire, taking part. One of his opponents is Kadara who will be attempting to retain her unbeaten record over timber, having made a successful hurdling bow in a juvenile novices' hurdle at Kempton over Christmas.

Trainer Robert Alner said today: "Kadara has come out of Kempton well and she's developing physically all of the time. We've been held up with the frost and then the wet but shes in good form.

"Andrew Thornton schooled her a couple of days ago and she jumped well enough. I don't know how good she is, nobody does - she did Kempton nicely but sometimes you learn through experience that if they go really well you think "next time out" and then they go and disappoint. I'll let her do the talking and we'll know how good she is tomorrow - she's up against it with some good horses but she is an improving type."

The Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, who form C Squadron of The Royal Wessex Yeomanry based at Cirencester, have a distinguished cavalry history and a long association with National Hunt racing at Prestbury Park. They will provide a mounted escort of full dress orderlies for the first race, the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Novices' Hurdle (12.55pm), for which the regiment presents a cup.

CAN PRESTON POSTAL WORKER LAND £137,000 SCOOP6 WINDFALL?

Part-time postal worker Robert Sterritt (53) last week landed £59,990 after picking six winners on the Tote's big Saturday bet, the Scoop6. That money is his to keep. However if Sterritt can pick the winner of the 2.15 from Doncaster tomorrow he will add all or a half share of the £77,497 Bonus Prize fund to his haul.

Sterritt had never played the Scoop6 before, but on finding himself in his local Done Bookmakers' shop with just £2 in his pocket last Saturday decided have a go and see if he could follow in the footsteps of many a small punter and land a Scoop6 fortune.

"As if picking six winners on his first ever Scoop6 wasn't a feat in itself, Robert managed to land the Scoop6 loot without including a single favourite in his selections, and putting himself through the ordeal of having a 14-1 chance running for him in the last," said Tote spokesman Jeremy Scott.

"Whether Robert will have the courage to pick another 14-1 as his Bonus race selection we'll have to wait and see, but if he does find the winner-whatever the price-he'll land at least a half-share or possibly all the Bonus Prize fund to his haul which could see his total scoop on the bet come to more than £137,000."

Another Scoop6 punter who wishes to remain anonymous will also be playing for the Bonus Prize fund tomorrow. The punter placed his £4 Scoop6 bet in a Ladbrokes shop in Coventry.

Saturday's Scoop6 races are:
Leg 1 1.30 Cheltenham - Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase
Leg 2 2.15 Doncaster - skybet.com Great Yorkshire Chase
Leg 3 2.35 Cheltenham - Pillar Property Chase
Leg 4 2.50 Doncaster - skybet.com Mansion House Handicap Chase
Leg 5 3.10 Cheltenham - Ladbroke Hurdle
Leg 6 3,25 Doncaster - Sky Bet Press Red To Bet Levy Board Handicap Hurdle

ESTIMRAAR'S RISE CONTINUES WITH MAKTOUM CHALLENGE SUCCESS

Purchased out of the sale for Dhs130,000 by Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Estimraar took his seasonal tally to five wins from six starts and provide his new trainer Mazin Al Kurdi with yet another Emirates feature. In recent weeks Al Kurdi has collected the trophies for the Tawi Murghem with Conflict and the Jebel Ali Stakes with Clodion.

Estimraar went to the front at the top of the straight and held on to defeat State Shinto and Conflict with the Saudi Arabian Go Underground fourth. Estimraar's rise during this season, he began with a win in a 45-70 rated handicap, coincides with that of Conroy in 2001/2002 who went from the horses in training sale at the end of 2000/2001 to a run in the Dubai Golden Shaheen.

Estimraar also provided a unique double for his jockey Wayne Smith, completing the feature double after guiding Parador to win the Group I opening round for the Purebred Arabians, a double he was completing for the second year in succession after the victories of Skoozi and Nez D'Or in both opening rounds a year ago.

"We always thought early on in the season that he would make into a Maktoum challenge horse," Smith said.

"Mazin has done a super job, he is very good trainer. He pays a lot of attention to his horses and his results this season have shown what a good trainer he is."

For the leading owner, Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the opening round proved to be another success, apart from Estimraar, he also owns State Shinto.

State Shinto lost no admirers with his second, coming from near the tail of the field to finish second.

A year ago Smith rode Nez D'Or to a narrow victory over Parador however with that horse not appearing until the HH The President Cup at Abu Dhabi later this month, the jockey was free to ride Parador.

Following his opening round win last year, he then went on to partner Nez D'Or to victories in the third and final round as well as the Dubai Kahayla Classic.

Eoin Harty prepared his first winner from a small number of runners this season when Festival Queen led throughout to win the Moonshell Mile Prep. This was Harty's third runner of the season and Festival Queen compensated for two previous unlucky defeats in America.

"She was running over the wrong trip in America and she had excuses for both efforts," Harty said.

"Depending on how she comes out then she will definitely come back for the Moonshell Mile."

The Dhs350,000 Moonshell Mile is at Nad Al Sheba on February 20. Earlier in the evening Senlis, a son of the former champion mare Pebbles, made a winning debut for the former champion trainer Satish Seemar. Seemar also prepared the second horse Navideno and the fourth Appermont, however he was particularly pleased with the effort of Senlis.

"We are absolutely ecstatic, we have had him at Zabeel since he was a yearling and have educated him and seen him develop into a racehorse," Seemar said.

"We are proud to see him perform so well."

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum repeated his success of a year ago when riding Al Ash Hab to win the Amateur Rider's event.

At the corresponding meeting last season Sheikh Hamdan rode Melaaff to win, following up that victory a fortnight later with another win, and this year he defied the strong challenge of Bourkan ridden by younger brother Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.

To complete a clean sweep, Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum finished third aboard Mr Magistrate.

Erwan Charpy proved the most successful trainer numerically, preparing a winning double with Mr Fear and Kriskova.

NAD AL SHEBA
Thursday, January 23, 2003
Weather: Fine. Dirt Track: Fast. Turf Track: Good

All races dirt unless stated.

Key: The number in bold is the race number for the season. The figures beside the race conditions (ie 00-80) are for horses rated in that division and these figures are in pounds. The UAE Dirham (Dhs) is fixed at US$3.68.

Race One: Muhatarram Maiden. 1,700m.

Thoroughbreds. NH & SH 3YOs.

Prizemoney: Dhs55,000. 1st: Dhs27,500. 2nd: Dhs13,200. 3rd: Dhs7,700. 4th: Dhs4,950. 5th: Dhs1,650.

1. SENLIS (JPN) 53kg
2000 ch c Real Shadai - Pebbles (Sharpen Up)
Owner: Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Darley Stud Management Co Ltd
Trainer: S Seemar. Jockey: T O'Shea.

2. NAVIDENO (ARG) 58.5 carr 57kg
1999 b c Louis Quatorze - Nazarena (Logical)
Owner: Ziad Galadari
Breeder: La Quebrada
Trainer: Satish Seemar. Jockey: R Moore.

3. BABYLON'S HERO (USA) 53kg
2000 ch c Unbridled's Song ­ Mz. Mazuma (Robyn Dancer)
Owner: Hilda Benwail.

Breeder: Glencrest Farm.

Trainer: K McLaughlin. Jockey: W Supple.

Then came (in order): Appermont (GB), Ballet (ARG), I'm A Little Devil (USA), Keep (USA), Southern Partner (USA), Bo Bid (USA), Panglossian (IRE), Japon (ARG). N/R: Sea Coast (ARG) [Late].11 ran. Margins: Nk, 6.25len, 1.25len. Time: 1:45.66 (Last 800m: 49.60).

Race Two: Erhaab Handicap 1,300m
Thoroughbreds. NH 4YOs+ & SH 3YOs+ 45-75.

Prizemoney: Dhs72,500. 1st: Dhs36,250. 2nd: Dhs17,400. 3rd: Dhs10,150. 4th: Dhs6,525. 5th: Dhs2,175.

1. LITTLETON TZAR (IRE) 56.5kg
1999 b g Inzar - Solo Syphony (Fayruz)
Owner: Littleton Manor Racing Ltd
Breeder: A F O'Callaghan
Trainer: P Rudkin. Jockey: A Whelan.

2. WILDE (GB) 56kg
1999 b g Polish Precedent - Wildwood Flower (Distant Relative)
Owner: Suhail Salem bin Ghadayer
Breeder: Raffin Stud
Trainer: P Rudkin. Jockey: M Hills.

3. FLOWER STATE (GB) 59.5kg
1996 b g Sabrehill - Flower Arrangement (Lomond)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Mrs R D Peacock
Trainer: E Charpy. Jockey: T Durcan
Then came (in order): Wathbat Mujtahid (GB), Mostabshir (IRE), Mobaader (USA), Alnahaam (IRE), Afreet (GB), Sicnee (USA), Cherry Pickings (USA), Royal Dance (USA), Maroc (BRZ), Raging Creek (USA), Qazween (GB), Alafzar (IRE), Al Andaleeb (NZ). N/R: Xaloc Bay (IRE), Fire On The Bayou (USA). 16 ran. Margins: 1.25len, 1.75len, hd. Time: 1:18.43 (Last 800m: 48.19).

Race Three: DRC Amateur Rider Challenge Rd I. 1,800m
Thoroughbreds. Handicap NH 4YOs+ & SH 3YOs+ 50-75. Am Riders.

Prizemoney: Dhs80,000. 1st: Dhs40,000. 2nd: Dhs19,200. 3rd: Dhs11,200. 4th:
Dhs7,200. 5th: Dhs2,400.

1. AL ASH HAB (USA) 75kg
1999 ch c Dixieland Band - Meteor Cap (Capote)
Owner: Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd
Trainer: K McLaughlin. Jockey: Sh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.

2. BOURKAN (GB) 72.5kg
1997 gr h Linamix - North Wind (Lomond)
Owner: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Breeder: HRH Princess Michael of Kent
Trainer: A Smith. Jockey: Sh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.

3. MR MAGISTRATE (AUS) 75kg
1997 b h Danewin - Wild Thunder (Our Poetic Prince)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Alex Cheung & Sunny Yam Investment Co
Trainer: J Sadler. Jockey Sh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.

Then came (in order): All Made Up (USA), Shabaab (GB), Siege (IRE), Mustafhel (GB). N/R: Almandab (IRE). 7 ran. Margins: .5len, 8.75len, .75len. Time: 1:52.91 (Last 800m: N/A).

Race Four: Mujahid Handicap 1,500m.

Thoroughbreds. NH 4YOs+ & SH 3YOs+ 50-80.

Prizemoney: Dhs75,000. 1st: Dhs37,500. 2nd: Dhs18,000. 3rd: Dhs10,500. 4th: Dhs6,750. 5th: Dhs2,250.

1. MR FEAR (ARG) 56.5kg
1998 b c Numerous - Lahfeh (Cox's Ridge)
Owner: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Breeder: Firmamento
Trainer: E Charpy. Jockey: R Mullen.

2. SHATHER (IRE) 61.5kg
1997 b/br g Goofalik - Western Pride (Priamos)
Owner: Ziad Galadari
Breeder: Galadari Sons Stud Co Ltd
Trainer: E Charpy. Jockey: S Sanders.

3. BO'ORTCHOU (FR) 53.5kg
1999 ch c Valanour - Catania (Aloma's Ruler)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Mualla
Breeder: EARL Elevage de la Source
Trainer: D Selvaratnam. Jockey: J Carroll.

Then came (in order): Somerset (IRE), Dajraan (USA), Kameynn (IRE), Harnour (GB), Explosivo (BRZ), Jamrr (IRE), My Pleasure (GB), Najmat Alsaeed (KSA), Shibl (GB), Jassas (IRE), Zanatan (FR). 14 ran. Margins: 6.75len, 1.75len, 1.25len. Time: 1:30.86 (Last 800m: 48.96).

Race Five: Moonshell Mile Prep 1,500m.

Thoroughbreds. NH & SH 3YO Fillies.

Prizemoney: Dhs125,000. 1st: Dhs62,500. 2nd: Dhs30,000. 3rd: Dhs17,500. 4th:
Dhs11,250. 5th: Dhs3,750.

1. FESTIVAL QUEEN (GB) 53kg
2000 b f Quiet American - Muscadel (Nashwan)
Owner: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Breeder: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Trainer: E Harty. Jockey: W Supple.

2. AKINFEET (SAF) 57.5kg
1999 b f Fort Wood - Dance Every Dance (Northern Guest)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Lammerskraal Stud
Trainer: S Seemar . Jockey: T Durcan.

3. DESERT GLOW (IRE) 53 carr 51.5kg
2000 b f Machiavellian - Alumisiyah (Danzig)
Owner: Arabian Knights
Breeder: Shadwell Estate Co Ltd
Trainer: S Seemar. Jockey: R Moore.

Then came (in order): Marina's Charm (GB), Fawwarah (GB), Taala (USA), Shakraa (FR). 7 ran. Margins: 3.25len, 2.25len, .5len. Time: 1:32.16 (Last 800m: 47.79).

Race Six: Al Maktoum Challenge Rd I (Group I). 1600m
Purebred Arabians. 5YOs+
Prizemoney: Dhs200,000. 1st: Dhs100,000. 2nd: Dhs40,000. 3rd: Dhs20,000.

4th: Dhs10,000. 5th: Dhs6,000. 6th: 4,000.

1. PARADOR (FR) 56kg
1996 ch h Dormane - Pralinr du Cassou (Baroud III)
Owner: Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Thani
Breeder: M Georges Pasquier
Trainer: D Duncan. Jockey: W Smith.

2. KHOUTOUBIA (FR) 56kg
1994 gr h Djouras Tu - Khaddouj (Haroun)
Owner: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Breeder: Ms Nadia Bestaoui Quilichini
Trainer: A Smith. Jockey: G Hind.

3. AL REEF (FR) 56kg
1995 b h Dormane - Makedonia (Karavan)
Owner: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Breeder: Haras De Rabodanges
Trainer: J Frazier. Jockey: M Hills.

Then came (in order): Djiin (FR), Bopp Moon (GB), Djezebel (US), Iska Al Mels (FR), Danidor (FR), Djelmidor (FR), Mushaagib (US), Darman (FR). 11 ran. Margins: 3.5len, 4len, .75len. Time: 1:46.59.

Comment: PARADOR compensated connections for a narrow defeat in this event 12 months ago with an impressive performance to lift this opening round of the Al Maktoum Challenge. A year ago it was the Wayne Smith-ridden Nez D'Or that caused what, at the time, appeared a surprise when he wore down Parador in the concluding stages however subsequent performance suggest that it was a high class race, Nez D'Or going on to win the second round before taking the Dubai Kahayla Classic. PARADOR has raced four times now over the 1,600m dirt course at Nad Al Sheba winning three, two runnings of the Mazrat Al Ruwayah and the opening round of the Al Maktoum Challenge along with his narrow defeat in this event last year. He adopted his favoured front running role here and although a few decided to go with him he had them beaten off at the top of the straight. PARADOR created a gap at the top of the straight which let KHOUTOUBIA out and he was the only danger. KHOUTOUBIA, winner of this opening round in 2001 and placed in 2000 and 2002, was again placed, his brave second not helped by the fact that he wanted to get in behind PARADOR ion the final 250m. Although this did cost him some ground it did appear that PARADOR had his measure at the time. PARADOR is unlikely to go into the 2,400m of the second round however the third round over 2,000m and the Dubai Kahayla Classic over the same trip look likely, although he has shown he is not as effective over 2,000m as he is over 1,600m. What is clear however is that he is a superior racehorse over the 1,600m. AL REEF always manages to produce good performance in the strongest of grades and he ran on well to finish third, just in front of DJIIN and BOPP MOON. DJEZEBEL couldn't repeat her Mazrat Al Ruwayah form and was a beaten horse at the top of the straight while last season's find' DJELMIDOR was never a threat, he was a clear last at the 800m before passing tired horses

Race Seven: Al Maktoum Challenge Rd I (Group III). 1,600m.

Thoroughbreds. NH 4YOs+ SH 3YOs+
Prizemoney: Dhs350,000. 1st: Dhs210,000. 2nd: Dhs70,000. 3rd: Dhs35,000.

4th: Dhs17,500. 5th: Dhs10,500. 6th: 7,000
1. ESTIMRAAR (USA) 58kg
1997 gr/ro g Holy Bull - Verbasle (Slewpy)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Robert N Clay & Stud TNT
Trainer: M Al Kurdi. Jockey: W Smith.

2. STATE SHINTO (USA) 58kg
1996 dk b/br h Pleasant Colony - Sha Tha (Mr Prospector)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Darley Stud Management Inc
Trainer: J Sadler. Jockey: T Durcan.

3. CONFLICT (FR) 58kg
1996 b h Warning - La Dame Bonita (El Gran Senor)
Owner: Sheikh Marwan Al Maktoum
Breeder: Stratford Place Stud
Trainer: M Al Kurdi. Jockey: M Hills.

Then came (in order): Go Underground (USA), Dancal (IRE), Abreeze (USA), Bold Demand (GB), Dehoush (USA), Muthaaber (GB), Mister Cosmi (GB), Pacino (GB), Sobieski (IRE), Flag Day (JPN), Curule (USA). 14 ran. Margins: 1.75len, .75len, len. Time: 1:36.81 (Last 800m: 50.14).

Comment: Every test that is given to ESTIMRAAR the horse passes and here he was given his sternest test and he passed with ease and is now a genuine contender for the Godolphin Mile on march 29, or if he keeps going the way he is, he may just force his way into the Dubai World Cup. Of course the 2,000m is the query with him however there is no doubt that he is now a genuine Godolphin Mile runner. Beginning the season with a win in a 45-70 rated handicap, ESTIMRAAR has gradually improved to be a deserved Group III winner, this being his fifth win from six starts this season. There were some doubters coming into the race following his defeat in the Maktoum Challenge Prep at his most recent effort behind CURULE, there he had the benefit of a 4.5 kilogram allowance for the apprentice Trevor Naughton and Curule defeated him on his merits and with the two meeting at level weights, it did appear that CURULE had his measure. ESTIMRAAR again showed speed to be up just behind the leaders, the field taken along by stablemate CONFLICT however when the field straightened, ESTIMRAAR got the gap when needed and he sprinted through to take the lead. A number of the backmarkers were beginning to make their runs however ESTIMRAAR had created a gap and STATE SHINTO got the closest, closing fast to get within a length and three quarters. CONFLICT stayed on well to finish third, again showing his likeness for the 1,600m trip at Nad Al Sheba while GO UNDERGROUND was doing his best work at the finish suggesting that the 1,800m trip of the second round would suit, as it will STATE SHINTO. DANCAL, the South African filly also ran well to finish fifth on her Emirates debut while ABREEZE also showed there was a race for him in the Emirates this season to finish sixth. There were some disappointments in the race, among them FLAG DAY, who finished 13th, and CURULE who produced the worst run of his career in finishing last and stewards immediately ordered a veterinary inspection of the horse. The time of the opening round 1:36.81 was the slowest since Wathik's 1:37.63 in 1998 which further emphasises the performance of STATE SHINTO, which came from the back of the field to finish second and his was easily the fastest last 800m of the event.

Race Eight: Green Desert Handicap 2,000m.

Thoroughbreds. NH 4YOs+ SH 3YOs+ 65-90.

Prizemoney: Dhs85,000. 1st: Dhs42,500. 2nd: Dhs20,400. 3rd: Dhs11,900. 4th: Dhs7,650. 5th: Dhs2,550.

1. KRISKOVA (USA) 58kg
1999 b c Kris S - Tereshkova (Mr Prospector)
Owner: Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum
Breeder: Gainsborough Farm LLC
Trainer: E Charpy. Jockey: S Sanders.

2. DUBAI VISION (FR) 53kg
1998 b c Machiavellian - Colorado Dancer (Shareef Dancer)
Owner: Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Darley Stud Management
Trainer: K McLaughlin. Jockey: A McGlone.

3. SOLE (BRZ) 52kg
1998 b c Bright Again - La Revlucion (St Chad)
Owner: Mohammed Al Jamali
Breeder: Haras Cruz de Pedra
Trainer: A Selvaratnam. Jockey: C Arnold
Then came (in order): Asood (GB), Opportunist (IRE), Shaalayn (GB), Haasil (IRE), Landslide (IRE), Muwassi (GB), Nessuno (BRZ), Starlight Festival (IRE), Mudaa-Eb (GB), Zaajel (IRE), Arabian (GB), Kashmor (USA), Nash Me (IRE). 16 ran. Margins: 3.5len, 1.25len, 5.25len. Time: 2:03.92 (Last 800m: 50.68).

For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink Archive