14 December 2014, Abu Dhabi ~ Having suffered a perhaps surprising defeat at Al Ain three weeks ago, the Ornst Oertel-trained Molahen El Alhan (AL NASR (FR) x FLORINE DE CARRERE (FR) by Djourman (FR) bounced back to win in a 1600m handicap under Tadhg O’ Shea.
“We were pretty hopeful coming into the race,” said O’Shea. “He has proved his aptitude for this course and distance, this is his third win under these conditions.”
Champion Trainer Oertel wasted little time in registering a double but this time it was Royston Ffrench in the saddle aboard Richly Blessed (TH Richie (US) x Zeralda Josniere (FR) by Djelfor (FR), seemingly the trainer’s least fancied of his three runners.
“Any chance to ride for this team is a good one,” said Ffrench. “Connections were reasonably positive coming into the race and that confidence has been justified.”
The opening 1400m maiden was won convincingly by Nizam Al Ghariba (NIZAM (GB) x HADIA DE FAUST (FR) by Dormane), opening his account at the second time of asking. Trained by Jameel Salman, he was ridden by Oisin Murphy, as he had been when second on his debut, in a 1600m conditions race seven days ago.
“That was a very pleasing debut last week,” said Murphy, who has been kicking home a regular flow of winners in recent weeks. “The shorter trip has not inconvenienced him at all and he has definitely improved for that debut experience, said Murphy.
It was a first winner of the season for the trainer.
Haanoof (QUAZAR (FR) x Shamayl (FR) by Kesberoy (FR), a 1600m maiden winner in November for trainer, Yousif Al Bloushi and jockey Pat Dobbs doubled his career tally when landing a 2200m conditions contest.
A comfortable winner on that previous occasion, she was then upped considerably in grade for the Group 1 National Day Cup when he was not disgraced in sixth.
“She is a nice filly,” said Dobbs. “She had good form in France and now seems to have really settled in here. Hopefully she has more to offer as we press ahead.”
Brazilian jockey, Silvestre De Sousa was an eye-catching booking for the Saifaldin Deeb-trained AL Waqqaad (NIZAM (GB) x LA BELLE FATMA (FR) by Pepe Le Mocco (FR) in a 1600m conditions race and they combined to land the spoils. It was close-fought, just denying Ain Jaloot, representing the French duo of trainer Eric Lemartinel and jockey Gerald Avranche.
De Sousa said: “Mr Deeb is obviously a very good trainer and his horses always merit respect in these races.
The Thoroughbred feature race at Abu Dhabi was won by Antinori, trained by Satish Seemar and ridden by Richard Mullen. They prevailed over Malekov.
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