German runners at Meydan

The Dubai Racing Carnival goes into its second round today, and for the first time there will also be racing on turf. Last week´s meeting was a great success, but all races were on dirt or tapeta, but today there are 2 turf races, including the main event, the Group Three Al Rashidiya over 9 furlongs at 18.40 CET.

This has attracted a strong field, including Mike de Kock´s pair Frozen Fire (Christophe Soumillon) and Front House (Kevin Shea), Godolphin´s Alexandros (Frankie Dettori), amd Crowded House (Brian Meehan/ Jamie Spencer), who won the Racing Post Trophy in 2008 but has not run since last year´s Derby. The supporting programme features several horses well known to German racegoers. In the opening mile handicap at 15.35 Abbashiva (Torsten Mundry/ Soumillon) must have a good each-way chance if back to his best form of 2008. The ex-Mundry Aspectus is now trained by Jamie Osborne and will be partnered by Kieren Fallon over 9 1/2 furlongs at 17.19; he did not always give the impression of being in love with racing last season, and we prefer Walzertraum (Manfred Hofer/ Olivier Peslier), who is very well treated on his old form.

Hofer also saddles Titurel (Fallon) over 1 3/4 miles at 19.15 and this trip could be ideal for the ex-Schlenderhaner. Lovelace (Mark Johnston/ Fallon) has top-weight in the 7 furlongs handicap at 15.10; he made little show in a better race last week, but in this company the 2008 Baden-Baden winner must have a good chance. As always, there is no betting in Dubai and all bets will normally be settled at British bookmakers´ industry SPs.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Sovereign Remedy - Abbashiva - Al Arab
2. Race: Mutheeb - Stoic - Across The Rhine
3. Race: Frozen Power - Musir - Coeur Loyal
4. Race: Aspectus - Soy Libriano - Walzertraum
5. Race: Alo Pura - Alsadeek - Sir Gerry
6. Race: Alexandros - Front House - Oiseau De Feu
7. Race: Titurel - Age Of Reason - Sabotage
8. Race: Antinori - Dancourt - Hot Six