Tailor’s Row looks best in open handicap

Dubai - Racing returns to Jebel Ali for a competitive seven race card today, featuring five handicaps that all have attracted big fields.

Hat-trick chasing Tailor’s Row, who has blossomed for joining Salem bin Ghadayer, is seeking his fourth win at Jebel Ali in Race 4, a 1800m handicap.

By Street Cry, the 2002 Dubai World Cup winner, Tailor’s Row must defy a career-high mark under Royston Ffrench and can be opposed in a wide-open looking handicap.

Shanty Star, trained by Rashed Bouresly, posted a solid effort behind Madkhal at Meydan, a step forward on his comeback at Jebel

Ali just six days earlier. Drawn in stall No 4, he should be able to go forward and could be hard to peg back.

Recent course winner Habah is one of four runners representing Doug Watson, a trainer operating at a 19% strike-rate at Jebel Ali this season.

She took advantage of a sliding rating when defeating Final Rock and six others on her seasonal debut. She’s entitled to strip fitter for the run and has obvious claims.

Pat Dobbs, Watson’s stable jockey, has elected to ride Native Appeal, six lengths behind Tailor’s Row at Sharjah last month on his second start of the season. Previously Native Appeal, winner of three of his five races at Jebel Ali, made a highly encouraging comeback when close third behind stable companion Galvanize in a competitive handicap at Sharjah. He makes plenty of appeal and is favourably drawn in stall three.

Dark Of Night, trained by Musabbeh Al Mheiri, makes his handicap debut and was last seen winning a modest maiden on his Jebel Ali debut. Ridden by Antonio Fresu, he stormed clear in the closing stages to finally open his account at the twelfth time of asking. He makes little appeal over a trip he’s untested.

Race 3 is a Maiden Plate over 1600m and has drawn a full field of 16 but is a weak contest and won’t take much winning.

Resig, who showed improved form at Meydan on his latest appearance, gets a tentative vote. The form of the race was a given a boost, thanks to the third placed horse Dark Of Light’s victory on his next outing.

In Race 5, the second Maiden Plate, Hurry Up bids to go one better after finishing second behind the promising Mouheeb at the course three weeks ago.

Trained by Salem bin Ghadayer, Hurry Up made late progress in the closing stages and with the benefit of that experience, he will take plenty of beating.