Hereford 14th July – Arab Racing Preview
By Paul Simmons

Race 1 – The Ward Estates Ltd Maiden over 1 Mile 1 Furlongs:
Mustajib (Vadeer x Mangana) was always handily placed throughout the race by Simon Walker, settled nicely in behind until cruising behind Pacific Way entering the final two furlongs, he kicked on inside the final furlong but was all out to hold off the relentless challenge of Pacific Way (Way To Go x Bacifica), who looks to be a smart prospect and is a name to note for the future. Musaayar (Jehol De Cardonne x Silvena) was disappointing back ten lengths back in third and looks to league’s behind talented FULL sibling Albaab.

Race 2 – The Brightwells OPEN race (TBs, AA & PBAs) over 7 Furlongs:
An incident packed race with the market leaders being out of contention with Night Cap finishing the race injured and Inchmarlow unshipping his jockey inside the final furlong. That said Bold Maggie (Bold Edge x Vera’s First) opened her account in fine style coming with a wet sail inside the final furlong to pull four lengths clear of a brave Tamagotchi (Lord David S x Fleurbienka) back in second to give the unstoppable owner/trainer/jockey Katie James yet another winner in this sphere. Back in third was Take The Plunge (Benny The Dip x Pearly River) who ran a race full of promise running on well inside the final furlong and was only half a length back from Tamagotchi in third.

Race 3 – The Jebel Ali Racing Club Handicap Stakes 0-50 over 1 Mile 1 Furlong:
Mushammer (Passem Lotois x Kawzah Tiki) gained his third win of the campaign to fully justify owner/trainer Carol Legg’s faith in him. He was prominent throughout and was given a skilful ride by Danny Burton who brought him to lead inside the final furlong before upping the pace inside the final furlong and staying on gamely to deny Ajyaal (Bengali D’Albret x Silvena). The latter was a little unlucky as he came with his run inside the final furlong and was flying at the finish and might well have got up in another furlong. Dakota Willow (Estamera x CR Bint Natalie) was third and looks to be coming into form and stuck to her task determinedly to hold off Shereik.

Race 4 – The Brunton Handicap Stakes 0-75 over 1 Mile 6 Furlongs:
Jaxy King (The Wiking x Djaxy Des Forges) could scarcely have been more impressive outstaying his rivals in dour fashion here on his handicap debut, held up in behind by a confident Simon Walker, he came with his run inside the last three furlongs to pull clear and win by a comfortable five lengths at the line, give jockey Simon Walker and trainer Bill Smith a double (also first race winner for progressive sire The Wiking owned by HH Sheikh Mohammed). Consider Me (Dormane x Reconsider) had no chance with his stable mate but looked to appreciate the step up in trip, he kept on one paced in the final furlong but was never nearer. Operatic (Vert Olive x Operetta) ran his usual game race back in third and was in turn clear of Notid.

Race 5 – The Newcomer Handicap Stakes 0-60 over 1 Mile 6 Furlongs:
Lile D’Amour (Merlin Al Maury x Daad) is a tough mare and was ridden with panache by promising young jockey Robert Flint who had her held up in the field before seizing the initiative inside the final three furlongs and going for home, he had to pull out all the stops as Mehshiv (Normativ x Mehsha) was being hard driven in behind and was gaining with every stride at the line going down bravely by a head; he deserves to win soon. Floren (Bengali D’Albret x Florys De Nautiac) was plugging on for third and appears to be in the grip of the handicapper at present.

Race 6 – The Shaw & Fox OPEN race over 1 Mile 6 Furlongs:
Katie James yard is on fire at the moment and she took this race extremely easily on market leader Cordage (Dr Fong x Flagship) who ended up winning in a hack canter, he quickened clear inside the final furlong and was a good twenty lengths clear at the line of Rue De L’Opera (L’Estragon x Rue De Cirque), with Barbilyrifle (Indian Rocket x Age of Elegance) again failing to fire back in third.

Race 7 – The Jebel Ali Handicap Stakes 0-70 over 7 Furlongs:
Man of the moment Simon Walker is riding out of his skin this season and rode yet another confident race on handicap debutant Firstwan (Dorwan Du Cayrou x First Alizee) to cruise home in this race to give him and boss Bill Smith a treble on the day and owner HH Sheikh Mohammed a double. Always prominent throughout he kicked on in the straight and came home easily inside the final furlong to win by a good four lengths. Back in second was Pavot Al Kyle (Pavot Al Maury x Ellaria) who looks to be coming to hand, he rallied hard inside the final furlong to snatch second off the tough The Way To Go (Way To Go x Nepenthes Al Maury) who continues to impress this season.

Race 8 – The Anglo Arab Handicap Stakes 0-140 over 1 Mile 1 Furlong:
Curupanna (Opera Ghost x Easter Panic) stretched her unbeaten record to three for this campaign and looks almost untouchable, given a superb ride by Sam Holdsworth this game mare was held up behind the leader before taking the lead inside the straight and coming home five lengths too good for La Perruche (L’Estragon x Iron Bird). The latter ran well and was finishing with a flurry inside the final furlong but tends to need further to be seen to best effect. Hardtoback (Norton Challenger x Harem VII) ran well in third he was rallying hard inside the straight and was unlucky not to hold onto 2nd inside the final furlong.