JEBEL ALI March 9th

The penultimate meeting of the Jebel Ali season was highlighted by a nine-furlong handicap and the impressive Interconnection (Mount Nelson) led throughout for Xavier Ziani, riding for trainer Salem bin Ghadayer. Owned by Majed Ali Almarzooqui, Interconnection was winning for the second time this season.

The action kicked off with another nine-furlong handicap won in gritty fashion by the Irish-bred outsider Aridity (Teofilo), a chance spare ride for Bernardo Pinheiro, who was a late replacement for Gerald Avranche. Trained by Rashed Bouresly, Aridity was winning for the first time in the UAE, having been victorious for Godolphin and Willie McCreery in May 2016 at Naas.

Bouresly looked set to celebrate a quick double in a seven-furlong handicap, but Call Sign was unable to fend off Epsilon (Desert Party) who led close home. Champion owner Khalid Khaifa Al Nabooda does not have many thoroughbreds in training, but Epsilon, trained by Ernst Oertel, is one of them. Winning rider Liam Tarentaal said: “I am really enjoying my Dubai experience, but will be off to China soon and then back to South Africa so it is great to get another winner on the board. These opportunities are so important for a young jockey, especially overseas, so I am very thankful to the connections for this chance.”

Last of the 10 runners at halfway, Above Normal (Street Cry) finished fast in another seven-furlong handicap to snatch the spoils in the final half-furlong and win for trainer Satish Seemar and jockey Antonio Fresu. Jockey Richard Mullen and Lavaspin (Hard Spun) made it third time lucky in the four-year-old’s fledgling career and brought up a double for Satish Seemar in the six-furlong maiden.

The 14 runners in the six-furlong handicap managed to split into three groups and those who stayed on the far side who dominated, with the Irish-bred Kowaiyess (Exceed And Excel) taking the spoils. A course and distance winner a month earlier for Helal Al Alawi and the Al Rahoomi Racing Syndicate, he was ridden again by Pat Cosgrave.

ABU DHABI March 11th

The only thoroughbred race, a seven-furlong maiden, went to Muqaatil (Lonhro) who opened his account on his 15th start. He was ridden by dual British champion jockey Silvestre de Sousa and is trained by Ahmad bin Harmash for Mansoor Al Mansoori.