THE flat season is beginning to warm up with some international races of note and the Curragh set to stage Ireland’s first turf meeting in just three weeks’ time. There are some significant blacktype races due to be staged over the next five days, with the likes of Cirrus Des Aigles and Breeders’ Cup third place finisher, Queen’s Jewel, entered for the Prix Darshaan in France and Solow in the Prix Montjeu at Chantilly.

Qatar hosts a $1 million local Group 1 race today, with English-trained horses to the forefront of the market. Richard Hannon sends out the locally-owned Tashaar with Frankie Dettori on board. Dettori is seeking a hat-trick in this race for both himself and owners Al Shaqab, having captured the past two renewals of the race with Dubday, despite being very badly drawn in stall 16 last year.