RACING DUBAI WORLD CUP:A "SIGNIFICANT interest" in the Irish Derby hero Cape Blanco has been purchased by a Dubai-based owner ahead of a possible attempt on the world's richest race later this month.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt is currently third favourite in ante-post betting for the Dubai World Cup at Meydan and will race in the colours of Mrs Fitri Hay in 2011.
The wife of Dubai-based Scot Dr Jim Hay has had horses race in her colours in Dubai when trained by South African Mike De Kock.
“We are delighted to be involved with such a talented horse and we are very much looking forward to the season ahead.” she said yesterday.
Cape Blanco is part of a potential ground-breaking raid on Dubai by O’Brien and the Coolmore Stud syndicate, who haven’t had runners at the meeting in seven years. Cape Blanco carried the Derrick Smith colours to several victories in 2010, including an all-the-way success in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in September.
Michael O’Leary’s team have been in flying form recently and that hot-streak can continue at Gowran for the Ryanair boss this afternoon where Rathlin can score in one of the maiden hurdles.
The Philip Rothwell-trained point-to-point winner returned to action at Clonmel last month when well fancied to score. Rathlin eventually went down by a length to Definite Class but the benefit of that effort should make him hard to beat this afternoon.
Gigginstown’s colours will be carried by Launchpad in the first maiden and there should be improvement in the ex-Luca Cumani-trained four-year-old after a reasonable jumping debut behind Rigidity.
The veteran pair of Newmill and Glenfinn Captain represent a touch of class in the two-mile handicap chase but even though The Sneezer is a couple of pounds out of the weights proper, he does come here in form.
Priests Leap, the dual-Thyestes winner, brings prime course form to the Tetratema Hunter Chase where his new trainer Raymond Hurley also runs another star name in Whyso Mayo.
Ephorus was runner up to Ghareer at Leopardstown last Sunday and despite topweight in the handicap hurdle, Andrew McNamara’s mount could prove hard to beat.
