Nad al Sheba and Cagnes-sur-mer

There are maximum fields in most races today at Cagnes-sur-mer and Nad al Sheba, but there the similarity ends, as the racing on the Riviera today is mainly at a low level, whereas the Dubai track offers 9 races with excellent prize-money and some very competitive races.

From the German point of view, the most interesting runner is Andreas Wöhler´s Santiago Atitlan (Mick Kinane), who runs in the first division of the 6 1/2 furlongs handicap that opens the card at 15.55 CET. He was third in a similar event here a year ago and has place chances again; there is no betting in Dubai, but British bookmakers make him a 12-1 chance, while Frankie Dettori´s mount Hatta Fort is favourite at 3-1. Main event is the Group Three Al Shindagha Sprint over 6 furlongs at 19.25, where the US-trained Big City Man is favourite; he has won his last 4 races, including this CD on his debut here a fortnight ago. Dianas Choice (Mike de Kock/ Kevin Shea) and Strike up the Band (David and Adrian Nicholls) look the main dangers. Most interesting runner on the card is Duty Free winner Jay Peg (Herman Brown/ Ryan Moore) who has top-weight in the 7 1/2 furlongs handicap at 17.25. In theory he should win this, but the trainer - who has won the last 2 runnings- has warned he may need the race after an 8 months layoff.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Hatta Fort - Grantley Adams - Santiago Atitlan
2.Race: Fullback - Desert Party - Indiscutible
3.Race: Asset - Drift Ice - Leandros
4.Race: Jay Peg - Calming Influence - Tasdeer
5.Race: Without A Prayer - Glen Nevis - Fares
6.Race: Sanbuch - Love Galore - Leitmotiv
7.Race: Presvis - Drill Sergeant - Varsity
8.Race: Big City Man - Force Freeze - Star Crowned
9.Race: Alexandros - Ragheed - Prince Shaun



At Cagnes, where all races today and also for the next few meetings will be run on the fibregrass track, as the turf track is currently in poor condition, there are two more German runners, both trained by Werner Baltromei but running under the name of Sid-Ali Ghoumrassi: Amuse Gueule in the race for 3yo colts at 14.35 and White Bull in a handicap at 15.35; both races are run over 2000 metres and Dominique Boeuf partners both horses.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Rockawango - Grand Slammer - Mr.Sir
2.Race: Quetsche - Salsarides - Lesi
3.Race: Cirrus des Aigles - Port Manech - Quattroporte
4.Race: Pirina - Passion Profonde - Manuelita
5.Race: Almaguer - Rudolph - Katly
6.Race: Bisestile - Torronto - Hatama
7.Race: Cournot - Lucky Number - Thiangova
8.Race: Round Stone - Play It Again - Dinorah