27 March 2019, Dubai, UAE ~ Madjani was the last horse to record back to back victories in the 2000m Dubai Kahayla Classic sponsored by Mubadala for Purebred Arabians. And this year, the Saudi Arabian-owned and trained Tallaab Al Khalediah is hoping to do the same when he lines up once more at the 2000m start of this prestigious Group 1 PA race. Since recording a first victory for Saudi Arabia in this event last year, he has remained unbeaten, but will have to overcome outside draw number 12 to defend his title. Last year, he jumped well and was able to travel in the front group and will have to do the same if he doesn’t want to get stuck in the pack. Now partnered by Juan Ospina, he will have the Eric Lemartinel-trained Amwaj next to him in stall 13. The Abu Dhabi-based French trainer comes here heavy handed with Mawahib, stall 7 and Darius du Paon, coming out of stall 4.

Tallab Al Khalediah’s main opposition this year comes from France in the shape of the Charles Gourdain trained 5-year-old mare Al Shamoos, who has shown immense class on the turf, including the rich Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nhayan Jewel Crown in Abu Dhabi last November. She will have to make the most of her draw two, but if she can transfer her grass form to the dirt, she is superbly dangerous.

Chaddad, who was the runner-up in last year’s edition of the Kahayla Classic, but who was well held by Af Maher on his last start at Meydan, is drawn 10. Horses on the far outside include Ziyadd in stall 14 and BF Mughader in stall 15. Al Zahir will be on her inside on the rail, while AF Al Sajanjle is next to her in stall three. Fazza Al Khalediah is in five, Rmmas in six, Af Maher in eight, Goshawke in nine and Barnamaj in 11.

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